V ♦ 




Title 






Imprint 



16—4 



iii- 

J i 



■rench's International Copyrjghlca n England, her 
Colonies, and the United Stales) i ition of 
the Works of the Pe^t Ar th' s. 



t**** ********************* ' 

No. HI 



THE BUTTE^rLIES 



In XTbree :act0 



BY 



HENRY GUY CARLETON 



It 



Copyright, 1908, by Samuel French 



CAUTION : — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby notified 

that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of 

the United States Government, and nobody is allowed to 

do this play without first having obtained written 

permission of Samuel French, 24 West 22d St., 

New York City, U. S. A. 



1: 



^ 
^ 
^ 
^ 
^ 



"k 



PRICE 25 CENTS 






London 

SAMUEL FRE?iCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton ^-St. 

STRANt) 



New. York 
SAMUEL PR EN i; 

•PUBLISHER 

24 WEST 22d STREET 






Monogfap^ 



FRENCH'S MkMm DRAMA. 



Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $1.25. 



VOL. r. 

1 The Irish Attorney 

2 Boots :it the Swan 

8 How to Pay the Rent 
, ^rjlie Loan of a Lover 



> Dead Shot 



5 ThL . , 

6 His La=-.>1^P 

7 The InvisibC. 
b The 



Prince 



Golilen Faraier 
VOL. H. 
9 Pride of the Market 

10 Used Un 

11 The Irish Tutor 

12 The Barrack Room 

13 Luke the Lai>orLr 

14 Beauty ami the Heast 

15 St. Patrick's Kve 

16 Cautain of the Watch 

V(3L. III. 

17 the Secret [pers 

18 Wliite Horse of the Pep- 

19 The Ja.-obite 
go The Bottle 

21 l<>x and Cox 

22 Bajnfioo? ing 

2:{ Widow'- Victim 

24 Robert riaoaire 

XOL. IV. 

25 Secret Service 
2fi Omni' us 

27 Irish .jion 

28 MaW of Croissy 

29 The Old iJuard 
X(i i<,aj' ing the Wind 
..1 Shi her and Crasher 
V} Niival EnRtgemente 

VOL. V. 
;.H C. oknies in California 
.' , V, '.\o Speaks First 
» ."ohastes Kurioso 
i . ".hti-lieth Travestie 
ii': ;rih Ambassidor 
3^ Delicate Ground 

39 '1 lie Weathercock [Gold 

40 All that Glitters is Not 

VOL. VI. 

41 Grinishaw, Bagshaw and 

Bradshaw 

42 Riiiii;'! Diamond 
13 Blf..,,,-i fostuine 
44 Two K'liirivcastles 
i.5 l;.)ru to 'jo..d Luck 

lb K-iss ii the Dark [jurer 
47 Twor.li Pizzle » Con- 
18 Kill or Cure 

VOL. VIL 
49 Box a:;ii Cox Married and 
60 St. Cupid [Settled 

51 Go lo-bedTom 

52 Tne Ltiwyers 
63 .'ick .iheppurd 
.i4TheToodle6 
5n The Mobcap 
'6t) Ladies Beware 

VOL. VIIL 

57 Morning Call 

58 Popiiiiip the Questioi. 
5'.) Deal' OS a Post 

60 N t V Footman 

61 Pleusaiit Neighbor 

62 Paddy the Piper 

63 Bri.tu O'Linn 

64 Irish Assnrance 

VOL. IX. 

65 Toniptrition 

66 Paddy Carey 
87 T»^o G ro^.irins 
68 King Chari..lng 
•69 Po-ci-hon-t IS 

70 Clorkmakei-'s Hat 

71 Married Ra.,e 

72 I>J»e and Mmi ler 

VOL. X. 
. 73 Trftlaiid an<? .\merica 
74Pr.-lt; « of Business 

75 ir'.sU '<■■ i,i--naker 
76To P:., : ard Back for 

Five Founds 
77 That Blessod Baby 
7H Our (ial 

79 Sviis L'ottage 

80 Young Widow 



VOL. XI. ' 

81 O'Flaunig la aiyl'the Fai- 

82 Irish Post " [ries 

83 My Xeighl«ir's wife 

84 Irish Tigev 

^° ^- *^-' "y Man and Tiger 

86 To Ob'rijje Benson 

87 Stajfa Secrets 
«j^-l"^sh Yankee 

VOL. XII. 

89 A Good Fellow 

90 Cherry and Fair Star 

91 Gale Breezely 

92 Our Jemimy 

93 Miller's Maid 

94 Awkward Arriral 

95 Crossing the Line 

96 Conju}:ral Lesson 

VOL. XIIL 

97 My Wife's Mirror 

98 Life in New York 

99 Middy Ashore 

100 Crown Prince 

101 Two Queens 

102 Thumping Legacy 

103 Uafinislied Oeutleman 

104 House i:)og 

VOL. XIV. 

105 The Deuion Lover 

106 Matrimony 

107 In au.l Outof Place 

108 I Dine with My Mother 

109 Hi-a-wa-tha 

110 Andy Blake 

111 Love in '76 [ties 

112 Romance under Difficul- 

VOL. XV. 

113 One Coat for 2 Suits 

114 A Decided Case 

115 Daughter [nority 

116 No; or, the Glorious Mi- 

117 Coroner's Inquisition 

118 Love in Humble Life 

119 Family Jars 

120 Personation 

VOL. XVT. 

121 Children in the Wood 

122 Winning a Husband 

123 Dav After the Fair 

124 Maki Your Wills 

125 Rendezvous 

126 My Wife's Husband 

127 Monsieur Tonson 

128 Illustrious Stranger 
VOL. XVII. 

129 Mischief-Making [Mi nes 

130 A Live Woman in the 

131 The Corsair 

132 Shvlock 

133 Spoileil Child 
\:U Kvil Eye 

135 Nothing to Nurse 

136 Wanteds Widow 
VOL. XVIH. 

137 Lottery Ticket 
l:W Fortune's Frolic 
1.39 Is he Jealous? 

140 Married Bachelor 

141 Husband at Sight 

142 Irishman in London 

143 Anj iia! M.ngnetism 

144 Highways and By-Wftys 
VOL. XIX. 

145 Columbus 

146 Harlequin Bluebeard 

147 L.adies at Home 

14S Phenomenon in a Smock 

Frock 

149 Comedy and Tragedy 
1.50 Opposite Neighbors 

151 Dutchman's Ghost 

152 Persecuted Dutchman 
VOL. XX. 

1.53 Musard Ball 

1.54 Great Tragic Revival 

155 High Low J.ack & Game 

156 A Gentleman from Ire- 

167 Tom and Jerry [land 

168 Village Lawyer 

159 Captain's not A-mis» 

160 Amateurs and Actors 



VOL. XXI. 

161 I'lmnotion [ual 

162 \ Fascinating Individ- 

163 Mrs. Caudle 

164 Shakespeare's Dream 

165 Neptune's Defeat 

166 Lady of Bedchamber 

167 Take Care of Little 

168 Irish Widow [Charley 

VOL. XXII. 

169 Yankee Peddler 

170 Hiram Hireout 

171 Double-Bedded Room 

172 The Drama Defended 

173 Vermont Wool Dealer 

174 Ebeiiezer Venture [ter 



VOL. XXXI. 

241 Cool as Cucumber 

242 Sudden Thoughts 
'j43 Jumbo Jum 

244 A Blighted Being 

245 Little Toddlekins 
24b A Lover by Proxy [ 

247 Maid with the Mil 

248 Perplexing Predieai 

VOL. XXXII. 

249 Dr. Dilworth 

250 Out to Nurse 

251 A Lucky Hit 
•J52 The Dowager 

253 Metamora (Hurlesqr 

254 Dreams of Delusion 



175 Principles from Charac-j 255 The Shaker Lovers 

176 Ladv of the Lake (Trav)i256 Ticklish Tii 

Vol. xxiii. 



177 Mad Dogs 

178 Barney the Baron 

179 Swiss Swains 

180 Bachelor's Bedroom 

181 A Roland for an Oliver 

182 .More Blunders than One 

183 Duirib Belle 
ls4 Liiiifrick Bov 

VOL. XXIV. 

185 Nature and Philosophy 

186 Teddy the Tiler 
1«7 Spectre Bridegroom 
188 Matteo Falcone 
ls9 Jenny Lind 

190 Two Buzzards 

191 Happy Man 

192 Betsv' Baker 

Vol. XXV. 

193 No. 1 Round the Corner 

194 Teddy Roe 

195 Object of Interest 

196 My Fellow Clerk 

197 Bengal Tiger 

198 Laughing Hyena 

199 The Victor Vanquished 
00 Our Wife 

VOL. XX VL 

201 My Husband's Mirror 

202 Yankee Land 

203 Norah Creina 

204 Good for Nothing 

205 The First Night 

206 The Eton Boy 

207 Wandering Minstrel 

208 Wanted, 1000 Milliners 
VOL. XXVII. 

209 Poor Pilcoddy 

210 The Mummy [Glassei 

211 Don't Forget your Opera 

212 Love in Livery 

213 Anthony and Cleopatra 

214 Trying It On 

215 Stage Struck Yankee 

216 Young Wife & Old Um- 

brella 

VOL. XXVIIL 

217 Crinoline 

218 A Fac;iily Failing 

219 Adopted Child 

220 Turned Heads 

221 A Match in the Dark 

222 Advice to Husbands 

223 Siamese Twins 

224 Sent to the Tower 
VOL. XXtX. 

925 Somebody Else 
6 Ladies' Battle 

227 Art of Acting 

228 The Ladv of the Lions 
929 The Ridits of Man 
2.30 My Husband's Ghost 

231 Two Can Play at that 
Game 

232 Fighting by Proxy 

VOL. XXX. 

233 Unprotected Female 
2.34 Pet of the Petticoats 

235 Fortv and Fifty [book 

236 Who Stole the Poclcet- 

237 My Son Diana [sion 

238 Unwarrantable I n t r u - 

239 Mr. and Mrs. White 

240 A Quiet Family 



(French's Mitior Drama Cdntinucd on ^dpage of Cover.) 



VOL. XXXIIL 
57 20 Minutes with a T 

258 Miralda; or, the Ju 

of Tacon 

259 A Soldier's Courtshi 

260 Servants by Leg.acy 

261 Dying for Love 

262 Alariiiing .Sacrifice 

263 Valet de Sham 

264 Nicholas Mcklebv 

VOL. XXXI V. 

265 The Last of the I'ipt 

266 King Rene's Dauglit 

267 The (irolto Nymph 

268 A Devilish Good Jo! 

269 A Twice Told Tale 

270 Pas de P'asrination 
71 Revolutionary .Soldic 

272 A Man Withr-JtaH. 

VOL. XXXV. 

273 The Olio, Part 1 

274 The t)lio, Part 2 

275 The Olio, Part 3 

276 The Trumpeter's Dai 

277 Seeing Warren 

V78 Green Mountain Boy 

279 That Nose 

280 Tom Noddy's Secret 

VOL. XXXVL 

281 Shocking Events 
2S2 A Regular Fix 

283 Dick Turpin 

284 Young Scimp 

285 Young Actress 

286 Call at No. 1—7 

287 One Touch of Natun 

288 Two B'hoys 

VOL. xxxvir. 

289 All the World's a St 
'.^90 Quash or Nigger 1 

291 Turn Him Out 

292 Pretty Gii U of Stillb 

293 Angel of the Attic 

294 CircumstancesalterC 

295 Katty O'Sheal 

296 A Supper in Dixie 

■y'^OL. XXXVIIL 

297 Ici on Parle Francais 

298 Who Killed Cock Re 

299 Decl.'iration of Indep 

300 Heads or Tails [. 

301 Obstinate Family 

302 isiv Aunt 

303 That Rascal P.at 
!*4 Don Paddy de B.azar 

VOL. XXXIX. [ 

305 Too Much for Good 

306 Cure for the Fidgets 

307 Jack's the Lad 

308 Much Ado A bout Not 

309 Artful Dodirer 

310 Winning H.azard 

311 Day's Fishing 

312 Did you ever send j 

VOL. XL. 

313 Kn Irishman's ^'ane 

314 Cousin Fannie 

315 'Tis the Darkest Hou 

316 Masquerade [foreD.''^ . 

317 Crowding the Seasor' 

318 Good Nit'ht'sRest ' 

319 Man with thcCarpe' 

320 Terrible Tinker 



SAMUEL FRENCH 26 West 22d Street. New York City. 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogfue Mailed Free on Request. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 



H Come&i2 



•ffn Zbxcc Ects 



BY 



HElsTRY GUY CARLETON 



Copyright, 1908, by Samuel French 



Caution:— Professionals and Amateurs are hereby notified that this play 
is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of the United States Gov- 
ernment, and nobody is allowed to do this play without first having 
obtained permission of Samuel French; 24 West 22d St., New York 
City, U. S. A. 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street, 

STRAND 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

24 WEST 22D STREET 






APR 14 1908 

CLA.SS/> XAC. No. 



^ 



THE BUTTERFLIES 

Produced at Palmer's Theatre, New York, Feb. 5, 1894. 

CAST OF CHARACTEPvS 

Fredebick Ossian Mr. John Drew. 

Andrew Strong Mr. Lewis Baker. 

Hiram Green Mr. Harry Hai-wood. 

Barrington, his son Mr. Arthur Byron. 

Nathaniel Bllser, on business Mr. Leslie Allen. 

Coddle, butler to Green Mr. Frank E. Lamb. 

Mrs. Ossian Mrs. Annie Adams. 

Suzanne Elise, daughter to Green.. Miss Olive May. 

Mrs. Beverly Stuart-Dodge Miss Kate Meek. 

Miriam, her daughter Miss Maude Adams. 

Act. I, Drawing room in Green's Cottage, San Augus- 
tine, Florida. 

Act. II. Another Drawing room in Green's Cottage. San 
Augustine, Florida. 

Act. III. Green's house near Lenox, Mass. 



FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION, 
CHAPTER 4. 

AN ACT to amend title sixty, chapter three, of the Re- 
vised Statutes, relating to copyrights. 
(January 6, 1897.) 

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the United States of America in Congress as- 
sembled. That section forty-nine hundred and sixty-six 
of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby 
amended, so us to read as follows : 

" Sec. 496G. Any person publicly performing or repre- 
senting any dramatic composition for which a copyright 
has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor 
of said dramatic composition, or his heirs or assigns, shall 
be liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases 
to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred 
dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent 
performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If 
the unlawful performance and representation be willful 
and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a 
misdemeanor, and upon conviction be' imprisoned for a 
period not exceeding one year. Any injunction that may 
be granted upon hearing after notice to the defendant by 
any circuit court of the United States, or by a judge 
thereof, restraining and enjoining the performance or rep- 
resentation of any such dramatic or musical composition 
may be served on the parties against whom such injunction 
may be granted anywhere in the United States, and shall 
be operative and may be enforced by proceedings to punish 
for contempt or otherwise by any other circuit court or 
judge in the United States. 

Especial notice should be taken that the possession of 
this book without a valid contract for production first 
having been obtained from the owner, confers no right 
or license to professionals or amateurs to produce the play 
publicly or in private for gain or charity. 

All persons infringing upon the copyright of " The But- 
terflies," pirating the phiy in any way or manner, will be 
prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 

Permission to produce this play must be procured by 
addressing 

SAMUEL FRENCH, 24 West 22d St., N. Y. City. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 

ACT I 

Scene of Act I : — Drawing room in Green's cot- 
tage, modern style and luxuriously furnished. 
, {See diagram) Arched entrance from veranda, 
up R. c. door R. door l. arch L. c. leading to an- 
other room partly shown. Table and two chairs 
L. c, well down; ottoman r. c. 

Enter Green and Barrington l. c. rapidly. Green 
in loose ivhite clothes, with a brilliant scarf; wears 
a palmetto hat on the hack of his head. Is 
smoothly shaven, except for a little tuft under his 
chin, is about fifty years of age; rather florid face; 
sandy hair, slightly bald. Has a rose in his but- 
ton-hole. Barrington, young, dandified, dressed 
in height of fashion and wears a monocle. 

Green, {hurriedly) No, no! You go alone to 
meet them, — never mind me — {watch in hand) 
You're late now — {ivhistle of train in distance) 
There's the train. Mrs. Stuart-Dodge and Miriam'll 
see enough of me after they come. Hurry, my boy ! 
{exeunt R. c. luithout) James, drive quick! Jump 
in ! Letters for me, eh ? All right ! Off with you ! 
{sound of wheels) There you go ! {re-enters r. c. 
carries a number of letters in his hand, sorting them 
as he comes in) Coddle! Coddle! 0, Coddle! 
{enter Coddle r. 2, dressed as an English butler; 
with little tufts under his ears; carries himself very 
stiffly, but without exaggeration) Where the devil 
• — Ohp there you are. What were you doing ? 

6 



6 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Coddle, (calm hauteur) Seeing the rooms are 
in border, sir. 

Green, (c.) And are they? (going l. c.) 

Coddle (r. 2) Puffectly, sir. The chimeber- 
mide is just puttink roses in the vaws hon the tyble, 
sir. ' 

Green, (turns sharply) The which is doing 
what ? Eoses in what ? 

Coddle, (importantly) In the vaws, sir. 

Green, (puzzled) Vaws? Didn't know I had 
one. 

Coddle, (pointing to a vase up c.) Like that 
one, sir, only smaller. 

Green, (goes up to it) That's a vase. 

Coddle. Beg pardon, — Mrs. Hossian calls it a 
vaws, sir. 

Green.- (looking at it) She does, eh? Then it's 
fash'nable. (reflectively) Vaws — vaws! (coming 
doivn. Aloud) Tell my daughter that Mrs. Stuart- 
Dodge and Miss Miriam will be here in a few min- 
utes. (Coddle going up l.) By the way (Coddle 
stops), Mr. Frederick Ossian and Mr. Strong will 
arrive to-day or to-night, on the yacht — tlie Alba- 
tross. Keep a look-out for her — and — which will 
be Mr. Ossian's room? 

Coddle. Next to his mother's, sir. 

Green, (going L. c.) All right. Give Mrs. 
Ossian this letter. (Looks at it. Coddle hows, and 
exits up L. 3 arch — aside) From her son, Fred- 
erick. Now I wonder if he has been donkey enough 
to tell her that I invite'd him to visit me. I'll bet 
he has, — and I wanted to surprise her. Coddle, take 
this — (holds it out with his right hand, looking at 
the other letters in his left) I hope Barrington gets 
there in time. Well, what are you waiting for? 
(impatiently, then turns and sees that he has gone) 
Why, of all the — (re-enter Coddle with salver l. 3) 
Where in thunder have you been vanishin' to? 
Didn't I tell vou to take this letter ? 



THE BUTTERFLIES % 

Coddle, (c. Injured air; stiffly) I went to get 
the sawver, sir. 

Green. (l. c. Puzzled) The sawver! What 
are you going to do with that silver plate? Eat 
strawberries and cream on the lawn ? 

Coddle. That's the sawver, sir, as I halways ^and 
the letters hon. Mrs. Hossian hordered it for me, 
sir. 

Green*, (change of manner; loohs around; tlien, 
with lower voice) Oh! What's the matter — ain't 
your hands clean? I suppose a sawver is fash'nable. 
Always do what Mrs. Ossian tells you to do. In 
some things, she's more like my sainted Sue — 
(chechs himself) Take the letter, and give my mes- 
sage. 

Coddle. Yes, sir. (exits, walking stiffly r. u. e.) 

Green, (eyeing him) Wonder if that's dignity, 
or rheumatiz. He does rile me, but (sighs) I sup- 
pose he's fash'nable, and my boy and girl has to be 
fash'nable. I'll have to stand it. (sits at table l. c. 
— sorts letters) What a bustin' lot of 'em. I re- 
member when I was poor, I got Only one letter in 
seven years, and that was from old Si Dannels ask- 
ing me to loan him a dollar. And I hope. Si — 
(looking upivards) that between your spells of hally- 
loojerin, you'll remember that there dollar was more 
to me, than a million is now. (sighs) Ah, me ! 
I'll bet Si would have paid that dollar if* he'd lived 
fifteen or twenty years longer. Ullo ! a letter from 
her lawyer — this will be interestin'. (opens letter; 
reads) " Hiram Green, Esquire, San Augustine, Flor- 
ida. My dear Mr. Green — (m — m) — Mrs. Os- 
sian's power-of-attorney to you has been recorded." 
(That's good!) "Under the circumstances, it is no 
breach of faith for me to tell you that her property 
is nearly buried in mortgages, and most of it would 
have been lost by foreclosure, if you had not paid the 
interest." (M — m !) — " I am certain that her son 
Frederick does not know the condition of her affairs. 



8 THE BUTTERFLIES 

as Mrs. Ossian has always insisted upon my absolute 
secrecy/^ (Well — he shall know — and soon!) 
*^ I will exactly follow your instructions. Yours 
faithfully, Abram Hutchins." (Just as I thought 
— bless her tender heart ! — Let her grown son Fred- 
erick cavort around in society, scattering money like 
chaff, while the money sharks were grinding her to 
bits, (re-enter Coddle, ivith card on salve?-) But 
now that Vyb got my clutch on her belongings, just 
wait till dear Frederick comes, — that's all — eh ? 
(takes card from salver, reads) Nathaniel Bilser! 
(then, inquiringly) Bilser? Bilser? I don't know 
any Bilser. (then suddenly recollecting) Oh, yes, 
Frederick's tailor! (then, to Coddle) Show him 
in. (exit Coddle r. u. e.) Bilser! He came 
quicker than a streak of lightnin' ! He's ahead of 
Frederick. I reckon we'll have a nice reception for 
Frederick — (re-enter Coddle, r. u. e. followed hy 
Bilser; then exit Coddle r. c. Bilser in a business 
suit of English check, cut in the height of the pre- 
vailing fashion. Derby or soft hat of latest style. 
Should he rather a small man, smoothly shaven, ex- 
cept for side whiskers; an American attempting to 
appear very English. He is generally washing his 
hands with imagination soap. When speaking he 
punctuates his remarks with little affable bows, — he 
is easily frightened, and then he has a habit of back' 
ing away when spoken to) — and when he arrives, — 
(sees Bilser) Ah ! Mr. Bilser ! (rises and goes 
up to meet him cordially ; Bilser backs away a little) 
I didn't expect you for two days, (brisk scene) 

Bilser. I — I — This is Mr. Green? (Green 
nods) I was just about to leave New York — In 
fact, I had my ticket, sir, when your lawyer called 
and explained the — the business. In fact — I — 
but really! I don't exactly understand. 

Green, (bringing him down) Then I'll explain.- 
(watch) I have got to hurry, because my son's 



THE BUTTERFLIES 9 

financy^s mother will be here in two minutes. My 
lawyer explained matters? 

BiLSER. I — yes, sir — Mr. Hutchins told me, 
sir, that he had arranged with two- other creditors 
of Mr. Frederick Ossian's to assign their claims to 
me and he told me that if I would come to Florida 
and press Mr. Ossian, you would make it quite a con- 
siderable object to me. 

Green. I will give you double the amount of the 
claim. 

BiLSER. (well up R. c.) I — really, sir, — it is 
impossible. (Green about to speak) I beg par- 
don, sir. Mr. Ossian has been our customer for 
years, and as numbers of the very best young men 
follow in his lead, his patronage is very valuable. 

Green. I know that, but — 

BiLSER. {deprecatory manner, hut firmly) I 
really cannot annoy Mr. Ossian, and — {takes paper 
from his hreast pocket) here are the assignments. 

Green, {sarcastically) And you have come all 
the way to Florida to tell me that ? 

BiLSER. Oh, no, sir. I — excuse me, sir, but 
{goes to Green, smoothes down the sleeve of his 
coat; tucks up the shoulder, etc.), I hate to pass any 
comments, but WHO made that coat? If it were 
not on you, sir — dear, dear, even the buttons are a 
misfit. If it were not upon you, sir, I would say 
that this coat had been partly made for William 
Evarts, and partly for Grover Cleveland. 

Green. All wrong, eh? 

BiLSER. Dear, — no sir, not all, — the cloth is 
fair, but that is not the tailor's fault — quite shock- 
ing, really, on Mr. Hiram Green — {low how) — er 
— Shall I take your measure now? 

Green. No, — this evening. I will give you 
carty blanky. Is that the French for it ? 

BiLSER. Well, — carty blanky — that's how they 
pronounce it in our best boarding schools, sir, but in 



10 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Pa-ree, I believe it is considered more swagger to 
say cawt blawnch. 

Green. Cawt blawnch, eh? (Bilser nods) 
That's the swagger thing! Very well. Now you go 
ahead and do as I tell you. I don't want to annoy 
Mr. Ossian, but I want to teach him a lesson. A 
young man of his age and position ought to be at 
work, and ought not to be in debt, see? When a 
man is sick we give him a pill. Now he's wasting 
his time, and he's almost run through all his fortune, 
and I want to give him a pill. 

Bilser. And I — 

Green. You are the pill. (Bilser starts) Can 
I rely on you? (watch) Hurry up; Mrs. Stuart- 
Dodge will be here in a moment, (going up r. c. 
and looking off) 

Bilser. (crossing to l. c.) I — Mrs. Stuart- 
Dodge — Dear me, — the very one I have come down 
to see. I — 

Green, (still looking off r. c.) Come down to 
see Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, eh? Well, she will be here 
in a few minutes. Her daughter is engaged- to my 
son. 

Bilser. Dear me — I — how very unfortunate. 
(Green tur^is down r. c.) I — I — mean — that 
— that — 

Green. You have business with her ? 

Bilser. I — yes, sir. In fact, sir — you see I 
too, sir, have just been betrothed to Maclame Cre- 
tonne, the modiste, sir, in New York. Quite a union 
of hearts and business. She is the American Worth, 
sir, — I — only Worth is a man, and she — 

Green. Oh, she is to make Miss Stuart-Dodge's 
trouser. 

Bilser. I beg pardon, sir, her — ? 

Green. Trouser, wedding outfit, flummer}^, you 
know. 

Bilser. Oh ! I think, sir, you mean trousseau. 



THE BUTTERFLIES ^l 

Green. Troo what? 
BiLSER. Trousseau. 

Green. Troo-so. Well, they spell it trouser any- 
way. Is that what you came down for? {goes up 

again) -, , • 

BiLSER. (showing uneasiness and trying to 
evade) No, sir — I — Madame Cretonne has been 
creating gowns, or as I may say, confections — 

Green, (goes up r. c, looks off) Confections? 

BiLSER. Con-fections, for a long time, she has 
been creating for both Miss Stuart-Dodge and her 
mother, but (Green pulls out ivatch again, glances 
at it, then aside), Dear me — very unfortunate. I 
promised Sophronia that I would collect her bill, or 
sue Mrs. Stuart-Dodge at once, and it's very un- 
pleasant. „ 

Green. Train is in,— Mrs. Stuart-Dodge will be 
here in a minute, and I expect Frederick Ossian on 
the yacht soon. 

BiLSER. (aside) I must not meet her here. I — 
(then to Green) I will go over to the hotel, sir, 
and will call some other time, (nervously, crosses 

to door R. c.) ^ _ 

Green. All right. I will tell Mrs. Stuart-Dodge 
that you were here, (comes down a little o.) 

BiLSER. (comes down a little r. c.) No, sir — I 
— in fact, sir, it might be unpleasant, as she does 
not know, sir, that I have come from Madame Cre- 
tonne. If you will let me, sir, see her here some time 
this evening, it will be better — I — 

Green. Very well. But how about this account 
of Frederick Ossian's? 

BiLSER. I — I will think over your plan, sir, 
\)iii — positively — Mr. Ossian, sir, is too valuable a 
customer, and I — 

Green. I will come over to the hotel and we will 

talk it over. 

BiLSER. Very well, I — (glances up R. C.) I 



12 THE BUTTERFLIES 

will go down this side street, sir. I — I might an- 
noy your guests, sir. (low bow. Exits r. u. e. x. 
back of c. window exit l. u.) 

Green. Well, he is the politest I ever see. Come 
all the way to Florida to get orders for Miriam's 
trouser, eh? Troo-so. However, I suppose it's 
fash'nable to have tradespeople running after you. 
(sits L. c. and begins arranging his mail) 

Suzanne, {without) Papa! {enters R. c. run- 
ning. Is dressed in ivhite, as becomes a girl of six- 
teen, has a straw hat hanging by its ribbons down her 
bach; carries a large bunch of loose roses; is in great 
excitement) Papa ! 0, here you are ! Is it true ? 
(stops c.) 

Green. Is what true, chickie? Why, Susan, 
what — 

Suzanne, (puts her hand on her heart; panting) 
dear, I ran all the way from the green-house. Bar- 
rington said — 

Green. What did he say ? 

Suzanne, (going to him) Why he came to me 
ten minutes ago, while I was cutting these roses for 
Miriam — and this one for you, that's wilted — 
(puts roses on table; puts one in his coat) and said, 
if I would lend him ten dollars, he would tell me 
something I wanted to know. Ouch ! (strikes a 
thorn in the rose) And I loaned him the ten dol- 
lars you gave me last night — 

Green. You will never get it back. 

Suzanne. I know that, — but I wanted to hear, — 
and he told me that Frederick Ossian, — and — (with 
downcast eyes) and Mr. Strong — 

Green, (luith rising temper) What! 

Suzanne, (going c.) He said that they left 
New York two days ago, and would probably get here 
sometime to-night. Is that so? (stops; back to 
him) 

Green, (getting up from his chair) Well, if I 
3.on't lam that young cub within an inch of his life. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 13 

Did he say that? (Suza-^ne nods) And did — 
did Mrs. Ossian hear him ? 

Suzanne. N-n! He took me to the other end 
of the green-house, and whispered, — and he said you 
didn't want her to know, because you wanted Fred- 
erick's coming to be a surprise to her. 

Green, (mollified) Oh, he did? ^ Well, then it's 
all right, (going L. and sitting again) But, if he 
had told her ! 

Suzanne, (demurely, with eyes downcast, smooth- 
ing the roses) Is Mr. — Andrew Strong coming too ? 

Green, (busy with his letters again) Certainly. 
It is his yacht, the Albatross, that Frederick is on. 

Suzanne, (rapturously, aside. Sits on sofa r.) 
He is coming! (a pau^e; she buries her head among 
the roses, lost in reverie) 

Green. I want you to be very nice to Strong 
while he is here. He is a partner of mine in a big 
deal. Of course he's English, and a good deal older 
than you are, but try to entertain him, for your pa's 
sake, (a pause) Well! (turning and looking at 
her) Durned if she hasnt dropped off asleep, 
(then sharply — sternly) Susan ! 

Suzanne. Oh! What did you say, papa? 

Green, (absorbed in a letter) I said I wanted 
you to be specially nice to Mr. Strong when he comes. 

Suzanne, (half frightened, and baching) To — 
to Mr. Strong? 

Green. Yes — and I don't want Frederick to be 
devoted to you. 

Suzanne. To be devoted to me ? (Aside, with a 
giggle) He's head over heels in love with Miriam! 
(aloud) He won't devote himself to me. (de- 
murely) 

Green. He won't, eh? I'm not so sure of that. 
Suzanne. I am. Ha pulled Miriam out of the 
ocean last summer, — and of course — you know what 
always happens in such cases. 



14 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Green. Nonsense. .She has just been engaged to 
Barry. * 

Suzanne, {doubtfully) Ye-es — she^s engaged 
to Barry — but I must hurry and dress and go down 
to meet Miriam. 

Green. To meet Miriam? I sent the drag five 
minutes ago. 

Suzanne, {alarmed) Oh, what shall I do? 

Green. Do? Wait here till she comes. It's all 
right. Barry went down, and he's the fash'nable one 
of the family, {she draws herself up) It's all right, 
chickie. I'm not fash'nable, you see, and I reckon 
that it's better to sort of keep in the background. 
Mrs. Stuart-Dodge'll like it better. 

Suzanne. {indignantly) Isn't her daughter 
Miriam going to marry Barrington? Isn't he my 
brother, and your son? Oh! I do get so tired of 
this world! {throwing herself on her Icnees beside 
him, places roses on table) 

Green, {petting her) The world's all right, 
chickie — it's only that some of the people in it have 
got a little warped. Don't you worry. You're just 
as refined as can be made, and please Heaven we'll 
get Barry licked into shape after a while, and it 
don't matter about me. I'm common as brown sugar, 
but I've got sense enough to keep out of the wet. It's 
all right, chickie. 

Suzanne, {with sudden spirit) I won't know 
any one who thinks you are like brown sugar. There 
never was such a kind, dear papa in all the world — 
{kissing him) and Mrs. Ossian says — 

Green, {eagerly) Says what? — Did she say 
anything? Tell your old dad. Aint she a fine 
woman ? — more like your sainted ma than any 
woman I ever saw. What did she say? 

Suzanne, {crosses to r. c.) I'm not going to 
tell you, — you'd be spoiled. But she said all sorts 
of nice things. And her opinion is as good as any 



THE BUTTERFLIES 15 

one's, isn't it? She's got grandfathers, — and she's 
swell, isn't she? {bach to c.) 

Green. Grandfathers? She's got more grand- 
fathers than would fill a bushel basket. Sh ! (rises 
— looking around — going c.) I wouldn't have 
her hear for a pretty, but she is more like your 
sainted ma — 'm — said something about me, eh ? 
(sound of wheels outside) Ullo! Here they are! 
(Suzanne goes up c, looks off c. & e. Sounds of 
wheels up r. c.) Ullo! (Suzanne runs out) 

Suzanne. Here they are, papa ! Quick, give me 
my roses! (as he picks up the roses, she snatches 
them out of his hand and runs up R. c.) 

Miriam, (without) Suzanne, (exit Suzanne c.) 

Suzanne, (without, rapturously) Miriam! you 
darling ! 

Miriam, (without) You dear! 

Green, (looking off) Well, well, never saw such 
a lot of kissing in my life. How are you, ma'am? 

Mrs. Stuart-Dodge. Oh, the sleeper ! 

Green, (exits; continues speaking) When you 
get through hugging my daughter, Miriam, I'll hug 
you. The sleeper was too hot, eh ? They always are. 
(enters with Mrs. Stuart-Dodge c.) If I have my 
choice when I die, between going to the good old- 
fashioned Gehenna, or spending my time in a through 
sleeper, blest if I don't think I'll take Tophet. 

Mrs. S. D. (as they come down to r. c.) I sup- 
pose the railroads are so accustomed to being extrava- 
gant with coal — 

Green. Oh, no, ma'am — that ain't it, not at all ! 
You don't catch a railroad company using a pound 
more coal a year than they have to. 'No. It's the 
sleeping-car porters. 

Mrs. S. D. The porters? 

Green, (gravely) Porters. Every porter is an 
African, — every African is born with a hot-house 
thermometer inside him, and the moment it falls 



16 THE BUTTERFLIES 

below a-hundred-and-ten in the shade, he has a chill. 
Consequently, every Pullman is kept hot enough to 
hatch eggs. 

Mrs. S. D. (critically surveying the room with 
her lorgnon) Charming — charming! You really 
have exquisite taste, Mr. Green. The architecture, — 
the works of art, — the coloring, — all perfect, {sits 
R. sofa) 

Green. Not my taste. I don't know any more 
about architecture than you do about hawg killin'. 
It was Mrs. Ossian, ma'am. She went with my 
daughter Susan, and picked out everything, except 
that — that vaws — (triumphantly) Susan got that. 
(Mrs. S. D. starts at the mention of Mrs. Ossian's 
name) Don't know what we'd have done without 
her. 

Mrs. S. D. (assumed ignorance) Mrs. Ossian? 
— Ossian ? — Ah, yes — Barrington told me that 
there was somebody of that name visiting you once. 
She is — here still ? 

Green, (nods) Don't know what Susan would 
do without her. She's visiting Susan, you know. 
But you must have met her. She knows the very 
best. Of course, you know her. 

Mrs. S. D. (aside) Just as I thought, — a mere 
governess ! (assuming to hut half remember) Os- 
sian ? — Yes, I have heard — I think that is the 
name. Yes, — they are poor, but really quite re- 
spectable. She has a son, I think — Frederick ? 
(doubtful as to the correctness of the name) 

Green. Frederick. That's him. Nice fellow, 
Frederick, but lazy, — or — (checks himself) You've 
met Frederick? 

Mrs. S. D. (with ill-concealed displeasure) I — 
I have seen him several times. He was at Narragan- 
sett last summer. 

Green. You don't like him. 

Mrs. S. D. (smilingly) Eeally, I have never had 



THE BUTTERFLIES 17 

occasion to analyze my feelings towards Mr. — Ossian, 
I think his name is? 

Green. Speakin' of Mrs. Ossian, — she is the — 
(enter Mrs. Ossian l. 3 — aside) Here she is now, 
— do be kind o' pleasant, (then to Mrs. Ossian as 
she comes down l. c.) Er, — ma'am — er — allow 
me — the honor — Mrs. Ossian, ma'am, Mrs. Dodge, 
ma'am, my son's fianancy's mother — (both ladies 
how, coldly) er, Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, I mean. I al- 
ways forget that Stuart. Spelled with a hifalutin'. 
(goes up when Mrs. 0. is then down l.) 

Mrs. S. D. (furious, but controls herself, and 
smilingly) With a hyphen. 

Mrs. Ossian. (luith unaffected cordiality, crosses 
to her R. c. — hand outstretched) It is some years 
since we have met. 

Mrs. S. D. (Ignores the hand; then sweetly) So 
long as that? The time has passed very rapidly to 
me. Time always does when one is free from annoy- 
ance, don't you think? Where is Miriam? (going 
up R. c. Laughter of Miriam and Suzanne off r.) 
Miriam, dear? (goes up R. c.) 

Green, (l. c. Aside to Mrs. Ossian) She 
doesn't mean anything. How could she ? 

Mrs. Ossian. (c.) I fear it is on account of 
Frederick. 

Green. Frederick! Just so! He gets you into 
more trouble in a minute than you can get out of in 
a year. 

Mrs. Ossian. (pleadingly) Don't, don't! (x. l.) 

Green. Well, it makes me madder than a wet 
cat to see the worry that young man gives you. You 
wait till he gets here — you'll see. (music p. & P. 
for Miriam's entrance. Mrs. Ossian remonstrates 
with him in dumb show during the following) 

Mrs. S. D. (at door r. c.) Miriam! 

Miriam, (without) Yes, mama. 

Mrs. S. D. Come, dear, (enter Miriam and 
2 



M THE BUTTERFLIES' 

Suzanne r. c. Miriam in a iravelling suit; arms 
about each other) Miriam! Miriam, I thought 3'ou 
were with Barrington. {sitsB,.) 

Miriam, (r. c. As they come down a little) 
No indeed ! Suzanne and I have a hundred and one 
thousand things to say to each other — haven't we? 
(gives her a little hug; Suzanne nods) And I sup- 
pose Barrington felt that he was de trop (Green 
turns, holds out his hands), — for he went back in the 
dog-cart to the Ponce de Leon. Why, Mr. Green! 
{rapturously. Stop No. 2 music) In that white 
hat I did not know you. (goes quicMy to him with 
hands outstretched. He meets her c.) 

Green. Didn't, eh? Blest, if I ain't so mixed 
up with your coming that I didn't know I had my 
hat on. I beg your pardon, both of you — (to Mrs. 
0. and Mrs. S. D.) Let go my hands {to Miriam), 
till I take off my hat. (Mrs. Ossian l. c.) 

Miriam. Not till you give me — 

Green. Give you what? (Miriam purses up her 
mouth) Want me to kiss you? {astonished; she 
nods) Me? {she nods) I thought Barry had 
taken out a contract to do that ? 

Miriam. {highly indignant) Barrington never 
kissed me in his life, and isn't going to. 

Green. Never ? 

Miriam. That depends. 

Green. Well, it won't be said that Hiram Green 
ever refused an invite to sample cherries like those. 
{kisses her) Lord ! Sweeter than pine-apple cream. 
Ain't she pretty? {to the others; extending 
Miriam's arms and looking at her) Pretty as a 
primrose in June. Susan, come here. (Suzanne 
comes left of him; he puts his left arm around her, 
his right arm around Miriam. Then to Mrs. S. D.) 
Ain'tl lucky ? {Then to Mrs. Ossian) There ain't 
two preciouser girls in the whole broad republic, than 
my daughter {gives Suzanne a little hug), and my 
daughter-in-law, {gives Miriam a little hug) 



THE BUTTERFLIES 19 

Miriam. Not your daughter-in-law yet. Call me 
daughter, — I like it better. 

Mrs. S. D. The other will come soon enough. 

Green". So it will. 

Miriam. So it won^t. I will let you know that 
this is the nineteenth century, and almost the twen- 
tieth, and Suzanne, and I are not going to marry 
until we get good and ready. Are we, Suzanne? 
(Suzanne shaJces her head and nestles closer to 
Green) And neither of us has begun to think about 
it yet, have we^ Suzanne? (Suzanne shakes her 
head) 

Mrs. S. B. That is chatter. 

Green. I reckon it is. (then with sudden 
thought, to Miriam) Why, haven't you met Mrs. 
Ossian? — Mrs. Ossian, ma'am, I beg your pardon 
(Susan up a step), my future daughter-in-law, Miss 
Dodge — Stuart-Dodge, — I always forget that hifa- 
lutin'. (up to Susan. Miriam crosses to Mrs. Os- 
sian eagerly, with hands outstretched. Mrs. S. D. 
rising, shows displeasure) 

Miriam. I am delighted to meet you. I have 
often wished to meet you. I know your son Fred- 
erick — I — that is — I don't know him, but he 
rescued me from drowning at Narragansett. 

Mrs. S. D. Miriam ! 

Miriam. I never had a chance to thank him, but 
he must know that I am grateful and remember. 

Mrs. 0. He has often spoke of you. 

Miriam, (eagerly) Has he? What did he say? 

Mrs. S. D. Miriam ! 

Miriam. In a moment, mama, (then to Mrs. 
0.) Did he tell you that — (petulantly) 0, dear! 

Mrs. S. D. (as Miriam crosses to her) We must 
be dressing for dinner, dear. 

Green, (surprised) Dinner! (taTces out loatch) 
Can't be that late. 

Mrs. S. D. (in an undertone to Miriam) I in- 
sist upon your being merely formal with Mrs. Ossian. 



20 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Green. Plenty of time before dinner. What in 
the name of the old Scratch did Barry go back to the 
hotel for? That boy is always — {enter Bareington 
R. u. E. dressed in the extreme of fashion) Eh, you 
are here, are you? 

Barr. {affected voice down R. c.) Ya-as, father, 
I have been over to the Ponce, and what do you 
think, — Captain Strong's yacht has just come up the 
harbor. (Suzanne starts at, and echoes Strong's 
name with a gasp of delight) 

Suzanne, {under her hreath) He has come! 
{up to window) 

Green. Are you sure? 

Barr. Oh ya-as — it's the Albatross — and who 
do you think he has on board? (Green makes signs 
to him to keep quiet) 

Miriam. Why, whom ? 

Green, {trying to check him. Aside) Barry! 

Barr. He has got Fred Ossian aboard. 

Miriam, {under her hreath, with a start of de- 
light) Frederick! 

Mrs. Ossian. My son! (goes up; looking off 
window) 

Barr. { x. downiL.) Ya-as — no mistake. Saw 
him plainly through the telescope. 

Green. Now you have gone and done it. I was 
intending this as a little surprise for you, ma'am. 
{to Mrs. Ossian) 

Miriam, {aside; delightedly) And for me. 

Green. Do you see them, ma'am? I wanted to 
surprise you. (then to Barrington) You spoiled 
all my fun, 

Mrs. Ossian. (up r. c.) Here is Frederick 
coming up the road ! 

Green, {up to window) Yes, that's him! I see 
him! And there's Strong! (Suzanne shows de- 
light, and runs off r.) Well, well! — both of 'em 
tanned as a dog-skin glove. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 21 

Mrs. Ossian-. (to Green)' I am so — so much 
obliged to you for asking him here — 

Green. Not a hit \— (exeunt Mrs.- Ossian and 
Suzanne r. u. e. waving liandkercliiefs, then Green, 
aside) More like my sainted Sue— (exit R. u. e. 
Miriam up to window then down l. 0. Barry xs 
to R. c. Miriam xes up to steps) 

Mrs. S. D. (down r. c. to Barrington) I ask 
you as a special favor not to present this Mr. Ossian 
to either Miriam or me. 

Barr. But, I — I don't understand — 

Miriam, (severely) It would be difficult for any 
one to understand mama's objection to my being civil 
to a man who has saved my life. 

Mrs. S. D. Saved your life ! — He hauled you out 
of the surf by the foot,— by the foot — and the beach 
was crowded at the time. It was shocking ! (sits R.) 

Barr. If he dragged you out by the foot, he is no 
gentleman, — but don't tell him I said so. 

Mrs. S. D. Dragged you out by the foot, — a total 

stranger to you — t i. . 

Miriam. I am thankful that he dragged me out at 
all, and I do not understand — 

Mrs. S. D. (crossing to r. c.) Understand or 
not, I expect you to respect my wishes, (exit 

grandly R. 2) , . i o 

Miriam. Did you ever? What do you think .'^ 
Barr. I don't think he acted like a gentleman, 

and I shan't present him. 

Miriam, (mochingly) So cruel of you ! (crosses 

to c. trying to get a peep off r. c.) 

Green, (without) Well, Frederick ! Ullo, Strong 

— got here at last, eh ? 

Fred, (luithout) Yes, at last. Well, well, little 

mother. 

Barr. (c.) Ya-as, but why should your mother 
dislike Fred? She has never met him. 

Miriam, (c. well down, looking shyly off r. c.) 



22 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Can't you understand ? Because Fred — I mean Mr. 
Ossian — was polite enough to prevent my drowning 
at Narragansett that day — {laughter outside r.) 
mama must needs think I am in love with him. 
(laughter off r. u. e. Miriam cranes her neck as if 
trying to get a glimpse of him) 

Barr. (sulkily) Look here ! I will be jealous 
the first thing you know, (xes L.) 

Miriam. Jealous ! It won't do you a bit of good. 
(Re-enter Mrs. S. D. standing at door r. 2. Miriam 

stealing towards c. evidently sees him, starts, averts 

her face quickly; catches her hreath.) 

Mrs. S. D. Arc you coming, dear? (Miriam 
straightens up and effects indifference) 

Miriam, (languidly) Yes, mama, (going r.) 

Barr. I am sorry father invited Fred Ossian 
down here, for he is going to cut me out. 

Miriam. Cut you out! (laughs) You? Im- 
possible ! 

Mrs. S. D. (crosses c.) There is not the slight- 
est danger, my dear Barrington. I don't believe he 
has five thousand a year, and that couldn't keep a 
man nowadays in cigarettes and alimony. Miriam is 
only teasing you. Are you not, dear ? 

Miriam, (tvith a sigh) Yes, mama, — only teas- 
ing — that's all. (exit r. 2. Mrs. S. D. looking 
after her) 

Barr. (crosses R.) Miriam, wait a minute. I 
won't be made Jealous, and if Fred Ossian thinks he 
can come down to my own house and cut me out — 

Mrs. S. D. My dear, dear boy. Cut you out? 
(laughs) Don't use that dreadful expression. Ab- 
surd! Only, I think we will announce the wedding 
to take place as soon as possible. I will consent to 
say — Easter week. 

Barr. Easter week, — that's hardly a month. 

Mrs. S. D. It cannot be sooner, you know. 
(laughter outside as before; she glances up; she low- 
ers voice) I do not wish to criticize your father's 



THE BUTTERFLIES 23 

selection of guests, but it would be better if Mr. 
Frederick Ossian^s visit could be made as short as pos- 
sible — you understand? If you could only manage 
to — 

Barr. Be disagreeable, eh ? 

Mrs. S. D. Not exactly disagreeable, — but — 

(Re-enter Coddle r. c. with telegram on salver.) 

Coddle. Telegram, mem. 

Barr. I will. 

Mrs. S. D. You dear boy! We will talk about 
this later, (xes to l. Coddle exits r. 3. Takes 
telegram; opens it; reads; show indignation) From 
Madame Cretonne! How dare she — (reads) 
" Further postponement impossible. The matter has 
been placed in the courts." (then controlling herself 
by an effort, and placidly, to Barr.) Eemember — 
Easter week. 

Barr. Easter week, (laughs; exit Mrs. S. D., r. 
2. Barr goes up c, — laughter off r. c. Green, 
Strong, Suzanne, Mrs. Ossian and Frederick) 
If you try any of your flirting tricks on my fiancee, 
Mr. Fred Ossian, I will see that everybody knows that 
neither you nor your poverty-stricken mother own 
more than the clothes on your back. Just try it on — 
(laugh) that's all. (exits L. 3 c. renewed laughter 
No. 3 music lively.) 

Grren (without) Well! Well! You never will 
learn Yankee ways, Strong ! Here, Fred ! 

Fred. Telegram for me, eh? (enter r. u. e. with 
Mrs. Ossian. Wears uniform of the New York 
Yacht Club, with white trousers and shoes) So, if 
you had known I was on the yacht, you would have 
worried — only a bit of plank between me and a 
watery grave, eh? Well, when I am ashore there\s 
only a bit of shoe leather between me and a sandy 
grave. Never mind, little mother — (with a hug) 
wait until I buy my own steam-yacht, mile long. 
(stop No. 3 music.) 

Mrs. Ossian. If you ever buy a yacht, I'll die. 



24 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Fred, {opening telegram. Moves to r. c.) Well, 
if you don't die until I do buy one, you — {reads 
telegram, his face falls; Mrs. Ossian ivatching him) 
The old skinflint! {crushes the telegram) 

Mrs. Ossian. (l. c.) My son! what is it? 

Fred, {trying to he cheerful; c.) Oh, noth- 
ing— 

Mrs. 0. Is it something about money ? 

Fred. Well, yes. Fact is, I asked old Abram 
Hutchins if he could not accommodate me with a 
thousand or two, until he has made some collections 
from our tenants. (Mrs. 0. turns aside to hide her 
emotions. Sits r. of table l.) I needed some money, 
and I didn't want to bother you — so I offered old 
Hunksie special rates of interest. He wires me — 
'^ Absolutely impossible." (Mrs. O's lips move, echo' 
ing the words despairingly) Of course, little mother, 
I do not know anything about business, and you do 

— but it seems to me that Hutchins is letting our 
tenants do pretty much as they please. It is now 
six months since he has remitted anything. I should 
think it advisable to take matters out of his hands — 
don't you ? 

Mrs. 0. {nervously) You do not understand. 
Our property is in a somewhat confused state, — and 
Mr. Green kindly offered to straighten it out for me 

— and I gave him an unlimited power-of -attorney — 
so you see that really Mr. Hutchins is not to blame. 
It will all come right in time, my son. {aside) I 
cannot tell him the whole truth, that we have almost 
nothing, {xes to L.) 

Fred, {drops down l. of table) Well, they'll 
have to wait — that's all. 

Mrs. 0. {looking at him searchingly) They? 
Whom do you mean? 

Fred, {sits l. of table) Why, I have always had 
two or three running accounts — lately they have 
been galloping rather hard, and — {hesitates) 



THE BUTTERFLIES 25 

Mrs. 0. (clasping her hands) Has any one 
dunned you ? 

Fred. Well — (then with forced cheerfulness) 
Everybody needs money at this season, you know — 
and I suppose that business is dull all over, but — 
(Mrs. 0. rises xes to c. Going to her and kissing 
her) Don't l)other your head aloout it, little mother. 
If Hiram Green has our affairs in charge, suppose 
I ask him to advance me a little money on interest. 
We won't ask it as a favor, but merely a business 
transaction, eh ? Shall wq ? {petting her, and going 
up c.) 

Mrs. 0. Yes, I — I will ask him — and see what 
can be done, {goes up l. c. ivith Fred. He holes 
off R. C. ; she clasps her hands, despairingly) 

Fred. What a little woman Suzanne is getting to 
be. {looking off r. c.) It seems only yesterday I 
met her — dresses up to her knees — two pig-tails 
down her back — mouth smeared with chocolates. 
Do you remember what an odd figure she was on the 
piazza at Saratoga? Do you know, I think Strong 
is badly in love with her. I hope he will win her. 

Mrs. 0. You hope he will Avin her ? 

Fred. Yes — but he'll have to wait till she grows 
up. (r. c.) 

Mrs. 0. I thought you loved Suzanne. 

Fred. I do. 

Mrs. 0. {with an apprehensive look r.) But the 

— the other one ? 

Fred. The other one ? — Miriam Stuart-Dodge — 
I adore her. 

Mrs. 0. {down c.) I was in hopes that some 
day you might fall in love with and marry Suzanne. 

Fred. I? Suzanne! 

Mrs. 0. I am sure Suzanne is very fond of you 

— and — 

Fred. But, my dear little mother, — Suzanne is 
growing, and needs three meals a day — I couldn't 



26 THE BUTTERFLIES 

support even a tomcat. But Miriam — {rapturously 
clasping his hands) Miriam! 

Mrs. 0. My son ! Don't ! They will hear you. 

Fred. They? (she makes a sign r. 2) In 
there? {imitati^ig her sign, and dropping his voice) 
Who? 

Mrs. 0. Haven't you heard? 

Fred, (c) Heard what? Who is it? Anybody 
to collect a bill ? Who is it ? 

Mrs. 0. Can't you guess ? 

Fred. By your frightened manner, I should judge 
it was {pointing downnmrds) — his majesty. 

Mrs. 0. It is Mrs. Stuart-Dodge. 

Fred. What? How did she happen here — and 
she ? — Miriam ? — Is she here ? — (Mrs. 0. nods) 
Eapture ! I shall meet her. My Miriam. How 
came she here? No matter. She is here: I shall 
meet her. 

Mrs. 0. Frederick ! 

Fred. Let the whole world listen. She is ador- 
able — Ever since that day at Narragansett, when I 
saw her sweetly drowning and pulled her out, I have 
loved her. I wish there were twenty eternities in- 
stead of a paltry one ! — I would love her through 
them all, then begin again, {xes l. Mrs. 0. xes to 
window c. Re-enter Suzanne r. great excitement) 

Suzanne. Fred ! 

Fred. What is it? 

Suzanne, {emphasizes each word hy tapping him 
on the chest) Promise me something? 

Fred. Promise what? 

Suzanne, {glances up r. c. lowering her voice. 
Strong and Green appear, chatting. Strong is 
about thirty-two; long blonde moustache ; beard cut 
very close, dresses in yachting suit; cap on his head) 
Mr. Strong won't stay to dinner, because he isn't in 
evening clothes. You make him. I'll die if you 
don't. See? 



THE BUTTERFLIES 27 

Fred, (imitates her) Why didn't you write me 
that Miriam Stuart-Dodge was here ? See ? 

Suzanne. She only came a few minutes ago. 
She's in there, (pointing r. 2) 

Fred, (mimics her gesture) In there? (she 
nods) 

Suzanne. She'll be out in a minute. Will you 
make Mr. Strong stay? If you don't, I swear I'll 
die. Promise ? 

Fred. Certainly — Strong! (xes to c.) 

Strong. Beg pardon! (comes doiun r. c.) 

Fred. Strong, you must stay to dinner — Miss 
Green says she'll die if you don't. 

Suzanne, (l. c.) I didn't. 

Fred. I stand corrected — Miss Green says she 
will die if you do ! 

Suzanne, (furious) Miss Green said nothing of 
the kind, (aside, to Fred) I will pay you for this. 
(aloud) I only asked him to ask you — and papa 
knows it's for his sake I wanted you to stay, (then 
to Fred, threateningly) You see if I don't get even? 

Green. Certainly ! Strong, you must stay. 

Strong. I — (loohs at his clothes) Then I must 
go back to the yacht, and — 

Green. Nonsense! (looJcing off r. c.) Coddle, 
tell James to go down to the landing, and get a boat 
and go over to the yacht, for Mr. Strong's evening 
clothes, (then to Strong) Strong! Strong! I 
said you could dress in my room. Tell James to 
hurry, (to Coddle. Strong up to Green. Su- 
zanne xes doivn l.) 

Fred, (to Suzanne, ivho has gone to Mrs. Os- 
SIAN, and is nestling in her arms) There — he will 
stay to dinner. Are you happy ? 

Suzanne. No, I am not. I am perfectly furious, 
and I will never, never forgive you as long as I live. 
Are you going to dress for dinner, Mrs. Ossian? 
(Be-enter Coddle, followed by a sailor with steamer 
trunTc, hat-box, canes, etc.) 



28 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Mrs. 0. N'ot yet — but — (to Fred) I will go 
up stairs and unpack your things. Are you coming, 
dear? (to Suzanne) 

Suzanne. Yes. (going) Hateful! (^o Fred, 
maJcing a face) 

Fred. Tut, tut — mustn't pout ! I'll be up in a 
few minutes, mother, and we will have a chat. 

Mrs. 0. Very well, dear, (going up l. c. with 
Suzanne) 

Fred. And won't 3'Ou kiss and make up? Come 
here! (croohing his fingers) Yes — I've got some- 
thing to tell you. (jerks his thumb towards Strong. 
She looks towards Strong; then comes toivards him) 

Suzanne, (eagerly ivhispers) Well, what is it? 

Fred (jerlcing his thumb over his shoulder 
towards Strong; and in a loiv voice) Clean gone. 

Suzanne. (whisper) He is? (Fred nods) 
How do you know ? 

Fred. Never mind how I know. If I help you 
with — (indicating Strong) — will you help me with 
— (indicating r. 2) 

Suzanne. Miriam? (Fred nods) You don't 
need any help witli her. 

FitED. How do you know? 

Suzanne. T know. You help me, and I'll help 
you ! Is it a liaio-ain? 

Fred. A bargain, (draws Jicr to him, is about to 
hiss her) 

Suzanne. N-n ! You mustn't kiss me. 

Fred. Why? 

Suzanne. Because I'm seventeen now — some- 
body will see vou. 

Fred. Oh ! 

Suzanne, (severely) Hereafter our friendship 
is purely Platonic — (then changing her manner to 
eagerness and whispering) You won't forget! (in- 
dicating Strong) 

Fred. I won't — and you will — (indicating r. 2) 

.Suzanne, (whisper) I will help you all I can. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 29 

Mrs. Ossian, let's hurry, (talcing Jiold of her 
hand) 

Mrs. 0. Don't be long, Frederick. 

Fred. Ten minutes. 

Suzanne, (kisses her hand to Fred) Eemem- 
ber! (points to Strong) 

Fred, (kissing his hand to her) I do. Eemem- 
ber? (jerking his thumb r. 2. Suzanne nods; and 
exeunt L. u. e. with Mrs. 0. Jjooking r. 2) She 
is here! (rapturously) I shall see her — Miriam! 
This morning the whole sky was clouded — not a ray 
of brightness anywhere — now — Miriam — I am 
dreaming, (pinches himself) Ouch ! No, I'm not. 
This isn't heaven — it is Florida. She is here — I 
shall see her. (sits l. c.) 

Green, (aside to Strong) I will depend upon 
your silence, and that you will not offer to help him. 

Strong. I will not, but — really — too bad, don't 
you know — he's such a capital chap — quite extraor- 
dinary — 

Green, (r.) He is a capital chap, but he needs 
a touch of the curry-comb. I'll make a man of him 
yet. Lord, what a picnic there luill be ! Not a word 
now. 

Strong. Not one — but — 

Green, (motions him to he still — then to Fred 
gaily) Take care of Strong for a few minutes, Fred. 
(exit r. 2. Strong looks at Fred, comes down. 
Fred in reverie. Fred sits r. of table) 

Strong, (passing to above table) Cheer up a 
bit, old chap. Your luck is bound to change. 

Fred. Luck! (reads telegram) Look at that. 

Strong. '^ Absolutely impossible." What does 
that mean? (sits in chair at fire) 

Fred. It means that I've got to look out for 
snakes. 

Strong. Look out for snakes? Extraordinary. 
Are serpents prevalent in this remarkable country 
this time of year ?. 



30 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Fred, (springs to his feet) Luck ! I have the 
best in the world. But it's mixed like chow-chow ! 
(paces excitedly to and fro) Think of it — first, my 
mother's tenants, for some devilish and unaccountable 
reason, sto}^ paying rent — my income for the last 
six months wouldn't have kept an invalid parrot in 
peanuts — next, my creditors take a violent fancy 
to asking me financial conundrums about every other 
day. That's bad enough, eh? — But now comes the 
good ! — she — my Miriam — (pointing r. 2) is here 

— we will dine at the same table — breathe the same 
air — and I — (xes to r. c.) I who saved her life — 

Strong, (rises, drops doivn l. of table) Saved 
her life? You never told me tliat. 

Fred. I never told you that? What did I tell 
you? 

Strong. You — you told me she was an angel — 
don't you know. 

Fred. An angel ! She is. 

Strong. And that — that she was like a flower 

— don't you understand — (Fred nods) — and — 
and all that sort of rubbish, don't you see ? And that 
you love her, don't you know — but you never said 
anything about saving her life, old chap — 

Fred, (incredulously) I never told you that? 

Strong. Quite incredible, but you never did. 
How did it happen? Saved her life — extraordi- 
nary, (xes to L., sits in chair l. of table) 

Fred, (rapidly) It was extraordinary — it was 
miraculous ! It happened at Narragansett, — ever}^- 
thing happens at Narragansett. You have never 
been to Narragansett ? Don't go. It is all right, 
you know — but — it is Narragansett. She and I 
arrived the same day. I saw her first upon the drive, 
and that instant I loved ! Then I saw her on the 
veranda, just before dinner, and I worshipped. 
Somebody told me her name ! Miriam ! It was 
music ! Once, as she strolled up and down, she 
stopped near me — so near, that earthy sea, sky, the 



THE BUTTERFLIES 31 

babbling crowd — everything — swam around me, 
and I only saw, felt and heard — HER ! In that 
moment she turned, and I swear that for an instant 
two little loves shyly nodded through the windows of 
her dear eyes, to the cupids who were frantically 
praying to her through mine. Only an instant, — 
then her lashes fell — and the scarlet swept to her 
cheek — and like the glimpse of heaven she was — 
she vanished ! {takes stage up) 

Strong. And next time you saw her ? 

Fred. Next day — in the surf. She was one of 
two thousand, — I would have seen her if there had 
been two million. An object was with her — a tow- 
headed, spindle-shanked object ! — and it couldn't 
swim. Together they tripped into the water. I hur- 
ried after. The billows raced — mad to clasp her in 
their strong arms, and hold her forever! The first 
knocked (scathingly) him — sprawling — but she — 
like a mermaid she dove through the green curve, and 
struck out — laughing and fearless. I was wild with 
terror. You know wdiat ocean is — one moment a 
kitten — the next a tiger ! I rushed after. Too 
late ! A furious sea hurled down an avalanche ! — 
she was gone ! 

Strong, (has risen and now Icneels over chair l. 
c. Excitedly) Gone ! — and you ! 

Fred. I ? — What wouldn't man do ? My love — 
my frenzied agony — my despair — made me a giant ! 
Like a flash, I plunged into the whirl of white and 
green — down — down — ten thousand howling sea- 
devils dragged me hither and thither — flashes of 
flame blinded my sight — my lungs were bursting for 
air — air ! — still I struggled and reached — grap- 
pled in all directions — here, there — everywhere ! — 
no use ! I was hopeless — unconscious, almost — 
when suddenly my hand. — ah ! it touched something 
warm — living — I clutched it — it was she ! With 
one last desperate lunge I rose — like a Samson I 
battled — then another wild surge ol waters shot us 



32 THE BUTTERFLIES 

shoreward, where a hundred strong hands were out- 
stretched — we were snatched from the sea — she 
was saved — saved ! — and I ? — I fell and knew 
nothing! {drops into sofa R. c. as exhausted. 
Strong, ivlw has risen during ihe foregoing, excitedly 
xes to him. Places chair hack to r. of table) 

Strong, {hand outstretched) Thank you! — It 
was noble — you were a hero — thank you ! 

Fred. Thank me ! — for what ? I didn't save her 
for 3^ou. I saved her for myself. You are getting 
things mixed. 

Strong. But — great heavens ! — if even for an 
instant, you had let go her hand ! 

Fred. Her HAND! {groans, averts his face) — 
if it only had been her hand! 

Strong. I — I don't understand — if you didn't 
have her hand — I — I — 

Fred, {rising, pathetically) Was / to blame if 
it wasn't her hand ? — When a man is ten feet under 
water, with his nose full of sand, and his mouth full 
of jelly-fish, hustling around among the saddle-rocks 
and flounders to find the girl he loves — he's in a 
hurry I He hasn't time to LEAD her out {appro- 
priate gesture), as he would his partner in the lan- 
cers! He's got to grab {pushes Strong bach till he 
falls in chair L. c. Bus.), and grab quick — and 
take the first thing he comes to ! That's what I did 
— {pathetically) — I wasn't to blame, was I — but if 
you had seen the look her mother gave me when I 
brought her out, it would have broken your heart — it 
broke mine. 

Strong. Quite extraordi — have you ever seen 
her since ? 

Fred. No. You see, I had just strength enough 
left to gasp for a little whiskey to keep me from hav- 
ing cold, and the boys gave me enough to ward off 
nine cases of double-l3arreled pneumonia. Next 
morning — {gesture implying big head) — whew! — 
and before I was able to go out, she and her mother 



THE BUTTERFLIES 33 

had vanished, leaving only her memory behind. But 
that makes no matter ! She knows and I know, and 
she is here ! — here — and to-night I shall tell her 
what she knows already, that I love her — my 
Miriam — I adore her! (tvalking up and down) 

Strong. But how can she know that you love her ? 

Fred. How ? — I don't know how, but she knows 
it — trust me — girls have a mysterious way of 
knowing things, like Providence. 

Strong, (up l. c. Pulling his moustache, starts 
and evidently thinbing of Suzanne, with a look off 
L. ) Eh ? — do — do — you think so ? 

Fred. Certainly — no doubt of it — a girl al- 
ways knows when a man is in love with her. When 
she pretends that she doesn't — that's bunkum. 
When she says that she is so surprised — that's bosh. 
I Jvnow 'em. — If the man in the moon fell in love 
with a girl in Brooklyn — no need for anybody to 
tell her — she'd know it. (re-enter Suzanne l. c. 
Suzanne comes on running, and stops short, seeing 
Strong, stands with downcast eyes) Isn't that so? 
{to her) You'd know in a minute, wouldn't you? 

Suzanne. I — I don't know anything — except 
that I forgot to get any roses for myself, and I am 
going out to the greenhouse to get some, {goes 
R. c.) If you were not so busy, and had so mucib to 
talk over with your mother {demurely) I'd like to 
have you — or — or somebody — come out with me 
and hold them, {xes up to r. u.) 

Fred, {xes up to her) I see. {seeing that she 
really ivishes Strong to go) Well, — I'll go with 
you. 

Suzanne. Oh, don't, that is, I mean — I don't 
want to take you away from your mother — I 
wouldn't for worlds — 

Fred. {gravely) Very well — then suppose 
Strong goes — will you, Strong — as a special favor 
to me? Will Mr. Strong do? {to Suzanne) 



24 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Suzanne, (downcast eyes) Yes — if — that is 
unless — 

Strong. Delighted — I — I mean — (Fred talces 
Tiim up) 

Fred. Certainly — just to oblige me — of course 
Suzanne would rather have me, and you would rather 
stay here — but — Heaven bless you both — {urges 
them out) — don't quarrel — and Suzanne — {as they 
go) — if l3oth of you are to hold the roses at the same 
time — get long-stemmed ones ! 

Suzanne, {great dignity) I — I don't under- 
stand you. Do you, Mr. Strong? 

{Re-enter ^i'RS. Ossian l. 3 c.) 

Strong. Certainly not. 
{Exeunt Strong and Suzanne c. going r. Fred 
laughs; comes down.) 

Fred. There is a great case. He is as brave as: 
a game-cock, but he is deathly afraid to let her see 
he loves her. 

Mrs. 0. Until he is sure that his love is returned, 
he is wise not to — 

Fred. Not a bit of it. A girl wants to have her 
heart carried by storm like a fortress — and to the 
man who hesitates, she says she will be a sister. Xo, 
no — I remember your telling me how father dashed 
at you — wooed and won you before you had time 
to think. You loved him for it — and that's the 
way I am going to woo her — {xes to L. c. LooJcing 
R. 2) — you watch me — my Miriam — 

Mrs. 0. (r. c. Agitation) But Frederick — 
my son — if you only knew — ! 

Fred, (c.) I do know. — I know that I love her 
— I know that she i^ adorable ! 

Mrs. 0. But Frederick — her mother — you are 
poor and — 

Fred. But I saved Miriam's life. You shall see 
her mother rush into my arms, {re-enter Mrs. S. D. 
r. 2) — here she is now. You shall see. {very 
elated; preparing himself for the introduction) 



THE BUTTERFLIES 35 

Mrs. 0. {distractedly) But Frederick — {sees 
her) 

Mrs. S. D. {smoothly) I had hoped that you 
were alone. 

Mrs. 0. {confused at first, then calmly) I — 
Mrs. Stuart-Dodge — this is my son, Frederick. 

Fred, {goes forward with alacrity, hand out- 
stretched) Most charmed — I assure you — I — 
{checked by her coldness; she achnowledges his how 
hy little more than a doivnward motion of the eye- 
lids; he stops, with his hand still outstretched) quite 
so — I mean — {clasps his own hand) Delighted ! 

Mrs. S. D. {sweetly to Mrs. 0.) At your earliest 
convenience, I would like to confer with 3^ou. 

Mrs. 0. (l. c.) Certainly — now if you wish. 

Mrs. S. D. (r. ivith a glance at Fred) Well, — 
soon, I hope, {with a slight movement to go) 

Fred. (r. c.) I infer, from your delightful cor- 
diality, that you desire that conference to be at some 
time when my presence is omitted. 

Mrs. S. D. You are almost clairvo3^ant. But an- 
other time will do, if — 

Fred {exti-eme urbanity) 'No time like the pres- 
ent. Besides I may chat with my mother at any time, 
but you seldom have had, or may have — that honor. 
{profound bow, which she acknowledges as before. 
He goes up r. c.) 

Mrs. S. D. Mr. Ossian. {he turns) Upon sec- 
ond thoughts — perhaps it is better that you remain. 
{xes R.) 

Fred, {quietly, with dignity) That shall be as 
my mother desires. 

Mrs. 0. Eemain, my son. {sinks into chair at 
table) 

Mrs. S. D. {to Mrs. 0.) t thank you. {to 
Fred) Will you not be seated ? {seats herself r. c.) 

Fred. You are very kind, but unless the interview 
is very fatiguing — 

Mrs. S. D. It will be very brief. 



36 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Mrs. 0. (quietly) For which, we both thank you. 

Mrs. S. D. (fanning slowly) Not at all. Purely 
selfishness on my part, I assure you. But to begin. 
At Narragansett last summer, you took the liberty of 
laying violent hold of my daughter in the surf. 

Fred. But, my dear madam, a heavy sea had 
broken over her, and I thought she was drowning. 
She had completely disappeared. 

Mrs. S. D. That did not excuse your conduct. 
In the presence of quite a number of people, you 
seized my daughter — (pause) in a shamelessly fa- 
miliar manner — although I fail to remember that 
you had ever been presented to her. (he starts to 
spealc; she checls him) As for saving her life — 
there was a bathing master hired for that purpose. 

Mrs. 0. (with lifted eyes and clasped hands) 
Well — of all the ingrates ! 

Mrs. S. D. You appreciate, Mr. Ossian? (he 
hows) I am very glad, (he starts) Now I have 
something else to say. (pause) You will not think 
me disagreeable? (very sweetly) 

Fred, (more sweetly) How could I? — You 
were about to pleasantly remark that — er — 

Mrs. S. D. As my daughter and I are also visiting 
here, circumstances may compel us to meet you more 
or less frequently — that is — not exactly meet in 
the social sense, but — 

Fred. — Be on the same earth together — infest 
the same hemisphere — 

Mrs. S. D. Precisely. 

Fred. My mother and I will try to bear it w4th 
Christian resignation. 

Mrs. S. D. And our naturally strong constitutions 
will no doubt enable my daughter and myself to sur- 
vive. 

Fred, (watch) My dear madam — seven now — 
dinner will be announced in a moment and I am yet 
' — (gesture toivards clothing), although I have never 



THE BUTTERFLIES S7 

enjoyed myself so much in my life ; as a special mark 
of your good will, will you come to the point ? 

Mrs. S. D. The point? (rises) With pleasure. 
I have noticed the almost frantic efforts of a certain 
person — to force his acquaintance upon my daugh- 
ter. 

Mrs. 0. (rising, indignantly) And I have no- 
ticed the efforts of a certain per — 

Fred. Mother — absurd ! (arm about her, sooth- 
ing her) Please! (then suavely to Mrs. S. D.) 
You were saying — efforts of a — a person — to force 
acquaintance upon Miss Stuart-Dodge. Well ? 

Mrs. S. D. Even were he not penniless, and prob- 
ably saturated with debt, — that person would hardly 
be — (Mrs. 0. starts to speak; again he checks her. 
Mrs. .S. D. smilingly notes this, and calmly contin- 
ues) But we will let that pass. It suffices 'to say 
that any attempt to make her acquaintance can only 
be regarded by both my daughter and myself, as im- 
pertinent and obnoxious, (turns as to go) 

Mrs. 0. (fast losing control) Is that quite all? 

Mrs. S. D. (turns) Quite. I have made myself 
sufficiently clear, Mr. Ossian ? 

Fred. .Delightfully transparent, madam? 

Mrs. 0. (with intensity) And permit me to 
add — 

Fred (smilingly) ISTo, mother, — no — 

Mrs. 0. (glaring at her) Impertinent and ob- 
noxious — an Ossian of Boston. 

Mrs. S. D. (grandly) Yes — impertinent and 
obnoxious, to a Stuart-Dodge of Philadelphia, (^o- 
ing) 

Fred. Philadelphia ! Where is Philadelphia ? 
(Mrs. S. D. turns, indignant, glares, hut controls 
herself with a strong effort, then turns, with her 
scowl changed to a smile. Opens the door r. 2 calls) 

Mrs. S. D. Miriam! Miriam! (Fred remon- 
strates ivith his mother) Come just as you are — < 



38 THE BUTTERFLIES 

you need not wait to fix your hair — (Feed starts; 
looks R. 2. Mrs. 0. turns aside despairingly) 

Mrs. 0. If you only knew — if you only knew. 

Fred. Knew what ? — She is coming ! 

Mrs. S. D. Come! — {withdraws a little from the 
door. Re-enter r. 2 Miriam, in a silk peignoir, 
trimmed icith lace, her hair is down; at sight of 
Fred, she shrinks hack) Miriam! — (then, with 
half -veiled contempt, hut smoothly) there is no one 
here you need mind, (she stops) I merely wished 
you to be present when — (re-enter Barr. l. u. e.) 
Ah — here you are now. (extending her hand to 
him, and tvith a cordial smile; Miriam startled; con- 
fused; Fred. c. regarding her; Mrs. 0. l. c. Mrs. 
S. D., R. c.) — 3'OU are most charmingly opportune. 
I was just about to announce — 

Miriam. Mother! (Mrs. S. D. turns quickly 
and gives her a severe look) 

Mrs. S. D. (smoothly, smilingly) — I was just 
about to announce to — to your acquaintances — my 
daughter's engagement to you. (Fred starts; looks 
at Miriam, tvho with downcast eyes, is struggling to 
repress her mortification and indignation) — I have 
quite settled to allow the wedding to take place Eas- 
ter week, (to Barr. graciously. Up c. a little) 

Barr. Thanks — that'll be jolly soon, (aside to 
her; his hack to Fred) That settles him! (she 
nods assent; delighted; Fi^ed realizing the truth, 
staggers slightly. His mother takes his left hand in 
hoth hers; his lips move as echoing what Mrs. S. D. 
said) 

Miriam, (lotv voice) And now, perhaps I may 
be allowed to express to Mr. Ossian — 

Mrs. S. D. (tvhirls sharply) Entirely unneces- 
sary. I have thanked Mr. Ossian for his trivial 
service. Have I not? 

Fred, (ivith a slow how) More than sufficiently, 
madam. (Miriam looks at him; her hands clasping 



THE BUTTERFLIES 39 

and unclasping ; seems ahout to speah; then with a 
sudden impulse exits r. 2) 

Mrs. S. D. {to Barr.) Let us chat for a few 
minutes on the piazza, (then as they go up) 
Miriam, is so happy now that everything is settled, 
but — of course, you will understand that, etc., etc., 
etc. 

(Fred as unahle to realize still staring at r. 2. Mrs. 
OssiAN lows her head, pressing his hand.) 

CUETAIN. 



ACT II 

Scene. — Another drawing-room in Green's house; 
red mahogany, with panels of darh green leather. 
Boom on right, in white, ivith Indian red panels, 
colonial; room l. light terra-cotta. A. ; hlach drop, 
shoiving the harhor by moonlight, light-house in 
distance, b. ; cut-drop. c. ; lai-ge archway, lead- 
ing to veranda. D. — d., railing of veranda, e. 
— E., doors leading to other rooms, r. and r. v. 
a stained glass ivindoiv. k., a circular divan, Per- 
sian hanging lamp (ruby light) over it. M., a bit 
of the staircase, t., a table and lamp, p., a 
piano lamp, with the light about six feet from the 
floor; red shade (heliotrope or pale blue on lamp 
X. ; yellow shade on lamp t. q., a divan on a dais. 
s., a small sofa. Masthead light on Strong's yacht, 
Y., showing. Also the red light of light-house in 
distance. Moonlight on the veranda; but no moon 
showing. Divan under railing of stairway L. Tall 
slender vase on neivel-post, with looses in it. Hand- 
some tapestry hanging from railing. As curtain 
rises, sound of tuning up off r. Laughter off L. 
Green laughing heartily, enters l. c, napkin in 
hand. 

Green, (looks bach, and speaking off L., chuck' 
ling) That^s good! You had me there! I will 
be back in a minute, (comes down chuckling) 
Fred's smart. A man that can sass him, can get the 
best of a buzz-saw. Coddle! (enter Coddle r. u. 
e.) Oh, there you are! (watch) Has them fid- 
dlers — 

40 



THE BUTTERFLIES 4l 

Coddle, (r. c.) Just come, sir. (music off n., 
string and reed hand, very soft) 

Green. They're late, eight-twenty. Barry told 
me they ought to have been here to play for dmner. 

Coddle, (loftily) It's quite swell, sir, to 'ave a 
bit of 'armony with each course, sir. . , ^^ • 

Green, (l. c. Drily, evidently johtng) it is, . 
eh? I thought we only had hominy with canvas- 
back duck. 

Coddle, (r. s. Still more loftily) I said ar- 
jjiony sir,— not 'ominy — like 'armony and peace. 

Green. Hominy and peas? — don't like either of 

'em. ., s , 4 

Coddle, (still more haughtily) 'Armony, sir,— 
not 'ominy, like that, sir, they are playing m the 

other room. ^ , .r. i. 

Green, (c.) Is that harmony? I thought that 
was fiddlin'. (Coddle straightens up) Now don't 
get mad,— I was just practicin' a little reparty. 

Coddle, (r. c. Haughtily) Eepar4ee, sir. 

Green. Eepar4ee, eh? (Coddle nods impor- 
tantly) Well, while I'm practicin' my repartee sup- 
pose you serve them with some Moker coffee m there ^ 
(Coddle crosses up l. going) Hold on a nimute. 
(aside) I ought to send him down after Bilser,— 
Bilser's late, (then to Coddle) You go down to 
the hotel and tell Mv.— (aside). No, it won't do to 
confide in a hired man. I will send Barry, (then 
to Coddle) Tell Barry I want him. (exit l o. 
Coddle, stiffly; Green watches him) That feller 
ain't got no more fun in him than a bag of sawdust. 
Eepar-tee,— repartee./ Vaws!— ? Burn me if I 
ain't like a young parrot learnin' how to talk. (sits 
u c on sofa) Ah me! (then seriously) Now, 
that Bilser has come, I had better tell Mrs. Ossian 
the whole scheme. I must bring Fred to his senses, 
and she must not interfere. Bless her heart, how 
she idolizes that boy. I wonder why Mrs. Stuart- 
Dodge is so high-strung and touchy with her. Every 



42 THE BUTTERFLIES .1 

time Miriam looks within nine points of tPie compass 
towards Fred, her mother — (stop No. 6 music. En- 
ter Barry l. c, evening clothes, white waistcoat; 
large houtonniere of lilies of the valley. He is a little 
■flushed with wine. Down L. c.) Say, Barry, I want 
you to do me a favor, my boy. 

Barh. What favor? {languidly) 

Green. Well, it ain't lending money, — I want 
you to go down to the hotel and ask for Mr. Bilser. 
You know him? 

Barr. I know only one Bilser, — Fred Ossian's 
tailor in New York. He made these clothes. 

Green. Well, that's the one. {rises) You go 
over and tell him I want to see him. {crosses to c.) 

Barr. Tell Mrs. Ossian to call up the hotel. I 
sent her to the telephone just now. 

Green, {furious) Sent her to the telephone ? 

Barr. {languidly crossing r. c.) Ya-as, — I told 
her to find out why the musicians were late. 

Green. (c.) What! — you told Mrs. — How 
dare you tell her to do anything ? Why — you 
young — {enter L. c. Mrs. Ossian; dinner gown of 
Mack) Mrs. Ossian, ma'am, — you must excuse this 
da — I — I — the idea of his telling you to tele- 
phone — (Barr. sits r. c. gets out cigarette) 

Mrs. 0. (l. c. pleasantly) I tried to telephone, 
but the wires seem to be out of order. 

Green, (c.) Yes, ma'am. There is only one 
thing that is never out of order with the teleplione, 
and that is the bill. Them fiddlers has come. 
Barry, hurry over at once, and tell Mr. Bilser to 
come. I reckon he misunderstood me. Hurry, 
Barry. (Barr. settles languidly hack) 

Barr. (r. c. Languidly getting out match-safe) 
I don't choose to call on a beggardly tailor. That's 
a servant's place, — not mine. 

Green, (c. With surprise) Why, Barry — 

Barr. {seated r. Drawling insolence) And, my 
dear father, — may I distinctJy request you to cure 



THE BUTTERFLIES 43 

yourself of that vulgar habit of shortening my name ? 

Green, (fast losing his temper) Shortening 
your name ! — young man, you were christened plain 
Irish Barry — named after the grocer who gave us 
credit one winter when hawg cholera had cleaned us 
out. You can Barrington yourself all you want, but 
I'm da — excuse me, ma'am, but this Barrington and 
this Suzanne Elise business is too rich for my blood. 

Mrs. 0. (extreme l. Re-enter Coddle, l. c. e.) 

Coddle, {down l. c.) Will you 'ave coifee 'ere, 
sir? 

Barr. Send Coddle, — or James, — or one of the 
hostlers. 

Green. Coddle has the coffee to serve. > What are 
the others doing? (to Coddle) 

Coddle. Jimes and the 'ostler is at dinner, sir. 
Shall I tell either? 

Green. Certainly not. I'll have nobody's dinner 
spoiled. I don't want coffee. Fetch Barry's hat. 
(Coddle going) Mr. Barrington's hat, — and — ■ 
{exit Coddle up l. c. — up steps) Now, Barry, my 
boy, or Barrington, if you like — just to please "your 
old dad — (Barr. Sitting sullenly, twisting his 
moustache) won't you? — Say, you'll twist them 
three hairs off. (Barr. gives him an indignant look) 

Mrs. 0. (goes l. c.) I'll try the telephone again. 
Whom do you wish to call? (up l. c.) 

Green. No, ma'am — Barry's a little stuck up, 
now that's he's engaged (Barr.- mes), — but — but 
— that's right, my boy, — you'll go. 

Barr. (going l. c. crossing Green and Mrs. 0.) 
No, I'll not — (Green astonished) and whatever I 
am — (turning) I'm not ignorant or vulgar. 
(Green starts, a pause) 

Mrs. 0. (c. A little up stage) Oh, Barring- 
ton! — 

Barr. (l. c. Sullenly) He had no business to 
say what he did. 



44 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Mrs. 0. But you — (Green checks her; she 
crosses up to c.) 

Green, (r. c. Gently; sadly) No, he's right. 
I am ignorant, and I am vulgar — but — but you 
ain't orter been the one to reproach me with it, my 
boy. I haven't had the chances that you've had, 
Barry — I didn't have no hard-workin' hands to pick 
the thorns and flints out of my road, — but I am 
ignorant and I'm vulgar — you spoke truth, boy — 
and I hadn't orter done as I did — and — {suddenly 
extending both hands to him) — I'm sorry. 

Barr. (after looking at him contemptuously) 
Very well. Don't do it again, (saunters up L. c.) 

Green, (quietly) Barry! (Barr. stops, with- 
out turning around) 

Barr. (after a slight pause) Well — ? 

Green, (same tone of gentle reproach) I'm 
holding out my hand to you, boy. 

Barr. (near l. c.) I see it. (going) 
' Green, (^ust as he gets to door l.) Barry! 
(firm and commanding tone; Barr. stops) Come 
here! (Green just r. of c. Mrs. 0. up c, hack of 
ottoman) 

Barr. (sullenly, half defiant) I — I am going 
back to the dining room. 

Green, (rising temper; tvell in hand) You are 
not. (then, crescendo) You are going to accept the 
apology I made, and take my hand like one gentle- 
man takes another's or by the great American eagle, 
I'm goin' to give you the darndest lickin' a boy ever 
got between here and Kalamazoo ! 

Mrs. 0. (alarmed) Mr. Green ! Your guests 
will hear! — (going to him. r. of ottoman) 

Green, (r. Boiling up his sleeves) Let 'em! 
They'll have lots to hear out of him in a minute. 
Now, sir — 

Mrs. 0. (c. Coming between them) But — 
consider — 

Geeen. (r. c.) Gimme room, ma'am, (gently 



THE BUTTERFLIES 45 

putting Tier aside, to right. She goes up hacfc otto- 
man; then to L. c.) — Now, sir — (Extending his 
hand again) — you see my hand? 

Bare. ( l. c. Meekly) Y-yes, father. 

Green, (quietly, but with firmness) Take it. 
(Barr. hesitates) 

Mrs. 0. (re-assuringly, going to Barr. l. c.) 
Please take it, Barrington. (he crosses timidly and 
takes it) 

Green, (r. c.) That's right. Give it a good 
grip, — it won't bite, (then still holding his hand) 
Never refuse an. honest hand held out to you, my 
boy, — and always accept an honest apology. That's 
manly. And even if your father is ignorant and is 
vulgar, people will notice it less, if you don't let 'em 
see that you're ashamed of him. Ain't that so? 
(re-enter Coddle ivith Barr's hat, cane and coat; 
stands L. c. gently) Now, my son. (X's to Coddle. 
Takes hat and cane from Coddle) Here's your hat 
■ — (puts hat on the hack of Barr's head; Barr. ad- 
justs it mechanically) and cane — (hands him cane 
and takes overcoat from Coddle) Here's your coat, 
— that's all. Coddle. (Coddle exits l. u.) 

Barr. (r. c. Surlily) I don't need a coat. 

Mrs. 0. (up c. and l.) 

Green, (c.) Better put it on, going out in the 
air. (holds coat for him) Now, then — (helps him 
on ivith it) Guess I'd make a pretty good valley, 
eh? Now — (arm about him, and taking him r. c. 
speaking in low voice) Tell Mr. Bilser to come over 
at once, — he'll understand, — then hurry back to 
your financy. Now we're friends again, eh ? 

Barr. (sidlenly) I'll take your message to Bil- 
ser. (exit R. u. e.) 

Green. Thank you, my boy. (Green looks after 
him, shakes his head; sighs) 

Mrs. 0. (down l. c.) Poor boy! — I am sure 
he did not intend to be rude. 

Green, (comes down r. c.) Then he's a power- 



46 THE BUTTERFLIES 

ful good actor. I suppose it's fash'nable for a boy 
to sass his dad, but I reckon I'll change the custom 
some in my neighborhood. 

Mrs. 0. He'll settle down after marriage. 

Green. Ma3^be, — but Lord help the poor girl 
that does the settlin'. I tell you — {with rising tem- 
per) — I don't want to do my own flesh and blood an 
injustice — {pacing up and down) — but I'm not 
blind, and when I see that sweet-faced girl, Miriam, 
and think what's in store for her, knowing him as T 
do — I — {makes a gesture of despair; turning aside) 

Mrs. 0. Don't say that! — You don't think the 
boy is bad at heart — you don't think he'd be cruel 
to his wife? 

Green, {sudden determination) Cruel to her! 
— No, he'll not be — he'll not be. I may have been 
foolish enough once to believe that love would change 
him — but now — {dashes a tear from his eye) But 
come, ma'am — I've got somethin' to tell you about 
your own son. {she shores alarm) Don't worry ! — ■ 
it's all right. Both our boys need a little bitter with 
their sweet — and we must do our duty by 'em. 

Mrs. 0. {handhercliiof. L. c.) Frederick is a 
good son, but he doesn't know. 

Green, (r. c. With gentle firmness) But he 
must know — and you must not interfere, {up c. 
Looks L. e. 3) They are leaving the dining room. 
Come out on the front porch and I'll tell you what 
I've dbne and what I'm goin' to do. Don't worry, 
ma'am. I'm rough, but — but — will you trust me ? 
{holding out hands) 

Mrs. 0. (l. c.) Yes. I will trust you. {turns 
aside, wipes her eyes. 

Green, {aside) Thinkin' of the late lamented, 
again, {sighs; tvaxes sentimental) And she's more 
like my sainted — 

Mrs. 0. {turns) I know that you do it for his 
good, but — {up L. c.) 

Green, {firmly) No, ma'am — leave Frederick 



THE BUTTEEFLIES 47 

to me. It may be a little hard medicine for him to 
take, but it'll do him good. Cheer up. Come. 
(hoth look off L. c.) Both your Fred and my Barry 
need a rowing up Bitter Creek, and please God they're 
going to get it. Come ! 

Mrs. 0. (l. c. Up stage) I do hate to hurt 
Frederick ! 

Green, (r. c. up stage) Yes, and I hate to 
lamm Barry, but Barry is goin' to be lammed. 
Come ! (Mrs. 0. takes his arm) — There's more boys 
ruined by indulgent parents than is ruined by rum. 
Ijet's do our duty, ma'am — let's do it — unflinchin'. 
(going out into the moonlight. Up c. to veranda) 
Ain't that moon a picture? 

Mrs. 0. (withdrawing her arm) Yes, and the 
magnolias — how they perfume the air — (goes slowly 
and thoughtfully r. Exit. Green looks after her 
sentimentally) 

Green, (sigh) Thinkin' again of the late la- 
mented, (sigh; exit; going r. Enter L. u. e. rap- 
idly Miriam in a pet, followed hy Mrs. S. D., l)oth 
in handsome dinner gowns. Miriam wears a large 
corsage bouquet; comes down to l. c.) 

Mrs. S. D. (down c.) I am amazed at you! — 
I saw you myself! Sometimes I wonder if you are 
really my daughter ! 

Miriam, (l. c. stamp) Such a cyclone in a tea- 
kettle ! — just because I looked at Mr. Ossian. Oh, 
dear! (turning aside) 

Mrs. S. D. (more temperately) No. It was the 
way you looked at him. Wrong, my love. I am sure 
Barrington noticed it, and — (Miriam turns; is about 
to speak; Mrs. S. D. checks her) — no — you must 
have regard for Barrington's feelings. You are en- 
gaged to him. 

Miriam. (up l. c. Pettishly) You mean — 
you engaged me. 

Mrs. S. D. (smoothly) That is an immaterial 
point. He is the best catch of this season at whom 



48 THE BUTTERFLIES 

you have had a chance, {going to divan c, sits r. c.) 
His father is worth at least eight milUons. I know 
that^ for ever since 3011 came out, I have subscribed 
for the commercial agency books, and I know the 
rating of every man whom I have allowed you to 
meet. This — Frederick Ossian — isn't even men- 
tioned at all. But Mr. Green — at least eight mil- 
lions, my dear, and when he dies — 

Miriam. Mr. Green is very healthy, {goes up 
L. c. obviously to get a glimpse of Frederick) 

Mrs. S. D. The longer he lives, the more mil- 
lions. Besides {complacently), perhaps I myself 
may — but that is a matter of the future. I admit 
that these Greens are raw — vulgar, even, but w^e 
can tell our friends that — that it is eccentricity. 
There are many eccentric persons in society, nowa- 
days. (Miriam looking off l. c. Clasps her hands 
and sighs) Besides, we are Stuart-Dodges. We can 
afford to do what we please. 

Miriam, {bitterly) Except marry whom we love. 
{sits c.) 

Mrs. S. D. Love ! — what mediaeval and mildewed 
nonsense ! — a pastime indulged in now only by the 
lower classes. Do the crowned heads of Europe 
marry for love. You are a Stuart-Dodge. 

Miriam, {crosses l. c. Not paying attention) 
Yes, mama, {up L. c. aside) Why doesn't he look 
this w^ay ! 

Mrs. S. D. You will have your house on Fifth 
Avenue, near the Park. 

Miriam, {up, looking off l.) Fifth Avenue is so 
noisy. 

Mrs. S. D. Your cottage at Newport, — 

Miriam. Newport is so stupid, {stealing further 
up to get a looTc at Frederick) 

Mrs. S. D. Barrington wdll get you a yacht, if 
you wish. 

Miriam, {dotvn l. c. and up again) A yacht ! — 
he was deathly ill one day in a rowboat. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 49 

Mrs. S. D. (rising, and with enthusiasm, and 
worTcing down R. a little) And above all, my dear 

— you will have money. MOXEY ! — what more 
can the heart of a girl want ? A town house — a cot- 
tage — a yacht — a — {turns and sees her trying to 
get a peep at Frederick, then, iiidigna^itly) Miriam ! 
Am I to suppose that you are actually again exchang- 
ing clandestine glances with that — person ? Miriam 
confused) Eeally — {loith intense severity) — I had 
intended remaining here at least a week, to allow you 
and Barrington to enjoy love's young dream together 

— but your persistent coquetry with this poor-house 
dandy, compels me to go. {goes towards r. 2.) We 
leave to-morrow morning. On the Limited. 

Miriam. {timidly) For — for Philadelphia. 
(Mrs. S. D. turns sharply) 

Mr^. S. D. For ANYWHERE, where he cannot 
follow. Though for that we need not go very far on 
any road charging three cents a mile, {going; 
Miriam goes toivards her impulsively ; crosses to her) 

Miriam, (r. c.) But mama — do not be angry! 
I — {then mischievously) Mr. Ossian is very good 
looking if he is poor, and — when a good looking 
man saves a girl's life, — even if he is not — 

Mrs. S. D. (r. Witheringly) Certainly! — 
they must marry — settle down to one of those suites 
of connecting closets called a flat, and try to be happy 
on kisses and soup. 

Miriam. Ah, don't be angry! — {caressing her 
mother) 

Mrs. S. D. On one condition — that while you 
are engaged to Barrington, you will not speak to this 
man, or allow him to speak to you. Do 3^ou promise ? 
(Miriam, who has turned aside on this proposition, 
draws herself up; a hrief pause) Well? 

Miriam, (half -shut eyes and meaiiingly) Yes. 
(pause) While I am engaged to Barrington, I will 
not — speak — to Mr. Ossian. • 

Mrs. S. D. (proudly clasping her. Miriam 
4 • 



50 THE BUTTERFLIES • 

wholly irresponsive) My own daughter! There! 
(Mssing her forehead) — I am proud of you — (sur- 
veying her) You are beautiful to-night. And that 
gown ! — Eeally, I must manage to send Madame 
Cretonne a couple of hundred on account. She fits 
you better than any one has ever done, (going to 
door R.) 

Miriam, (hitterly) Judging by Madame Cre- 
tonne's telegram to you, she is not likely to make me 
any more gowns, (then suddenly hreahing from her 
control) — Oh ! — it is. humiliating ! — even the very 
dress I wear, owed for ! — every time any one com- 
pliments me I could die with shame ! 

Mrs. S. D. Madame Cretonne was a little inso- 
lent in threatening suit, but — (smiling) — she is in 
New York and we are in Florida. These trades- 
people are all alike. The worse you treat them the 
more they will do for you. (caressing her) When 
you are married to Barrington, there will be no more 
bills. 

(Enter Suzanne l. c. running. She is also in din- 
ner costume, hut very simply made. ^Years a large 
corsage of roses, with one sunflower among them; 
down L. c.) 

Suzanne. Oh, Miriam, I — (stops short, seeing 
Mrs. S. D.)— Oh I— (haclcing)—! — I didn't 
mean to interrupt. 

Mrs. S. D. Not at all. Miriam and I were 
merely discussing millinery and nonsense. I have an 
important letter to write to Madame Cretonne — 
(then aside to Miriam) Happiness is a flower that 
blooms best in the golden sunshine of money, dear. 
Eemember ! 

Miriam, (hands clasped) I remember. 
(Exit Mrs. S. D. r. 2 e. Miriam looJcs after her 
mother; lifts her head with determination. Su- 
zanne lool'S at her, then, demurely:) 
Suzanne. (c. Caressing the sunflower) I 
know a thing or two if my name is Green. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 51 

Miriam, (r. c. Wearily) What do you mean, 
dear? 

Suzanne, {sloivhj, studying the flower) W-e-1-1, 
I know that if / were, you — and I were en- 
gaged to -Barry . . . and were in love with 
F'red . . . (Miriam starts) ... and my 
mother — that is, if I had a mother — wanted me 
to throw Fred over for Barry —(Miriam breathless 
with interest) — I know what Fd do. 

Miriam. You would do — what ? 

Suzanne, (safiie business) W-e-1-1, I'd . . . 
of course, I wouldn't let my mother know, because of 
course she'd fuss. . . . But I'd — I'd 

Miriam, (eagerhj) You would — ? 

Suzanne, (gravely; same business with the 
flower) I'd bust Barry's engagement higher'n Gilde- 
roy's kite. (Miriam starts, then eagerly) . 

Miriam. You mean it? (Suzanne nods; then 
Miriam, impulsively holding out her arms) Su- 
zanne! —(Suzanne runs to 'her, they clasp each 
other) — you dear! 

Suzanne. You darling! (hugging her) Oh! 
(disengaging herself, examining the corsage bouquet) 

Miriam. Did I crush them ? (scene rapid from 
this to Miriam's exit) 

Suzanne. (smoothing the sunflower) M! — I 
don't mind the roses, but he said that sunflowers al- 
ways reminded him of home, and so — but it isn't 
hurt.^ You aren't in love with Barry, are you? 
(taking both her hands; Miriam averts her face) 
You DEAE ! (puts arms about her, kissing her) — 
I knew it, and I was dying to tell you what Fred 
said — 

Miriam. Did he say anything ? — you darling! , 
(kisses her) What did he say? (they sit r. c. 
holding hands) And you don't mind my not loving 
your brother? 

Suzanne. N'ah ! — and he won't mind it either. 



62 THE BUTTEE FLIES 

Barry don't know his own mind — why he was head 
over heels in love with a prima donna last spring. 

Miriam. With a PEIMA DONNA ! 

Suzanne. {?iods gravely) And he used to go 
aronnd all day whistling ^' Tararahoom-de-ay " (gives 
a Utile I'ich) till papa gave him a licking for it. 

Miriam. He did ? 
• Suzanne. M' h-m! Break off with Barry! 
He'll have a new girl in a week. (Miriam starts) 
Aren't you in love with Fred? 

Miriam, (confused) Why — I — I do not even 
know Mr. Ossian. 

Suzanne. That doesn't matter. I hardly know 
And — I mean Mr. Strong, and still — 

Miriam. You are in love with him? 

Suzanne, (nods) Up to here, (hands across 
neck) And you are with Fred, aren't you? 
(Miriam averts her face) — Say, yes! You are? 
(Miriam drops her head; Suzanne with a glad cry, 
tlirows herself into Miriam's arms, face down on her 
hreast, arms about her; they roclc to and fro) Ooh ! 
Isn't it jolly ! — I knew you were. And now you 
won't let him ^o away, will you ? 

Miriam. Go away? (holding her off, and with 
alarm) 

Suzanne, (nods) He said he was going away 
to-niglit — on tlie yacht — going to Andrew — Mr. 
Strong's plantation in Cuba, where they have yellow 
fever. 

Miriam. {Iwrror-stric'ken) Yellow-fever! He 
is going there ! 

Suzanne, (slowly shaldng her head) Nah ! He 
is bluffing! He knows that you are in love with him. 
(Miriam starts; Suzanne nods) He said so. 

Miriam, (hridling) He did? (Suzanne ?ioJ.s) 

Suzanne. Well, he said it would break his heart 
if you knew that he was going away — 

Miriam, (with indignation) Indeed! 



THE BUTTERFLIES 53 

r 

SuzANXE. (nods) He said that he was going to 
speak to you the first time he found you alone. 

Miriam, (with spirit) Will he — we shall see. 
(rises, x. R. c.) Fll teach him a lesson. I love 
him, do I ! My heart is breaking, is it ! — and he 
will speak to me ! — we shall see. Men are all alike. 
Never let a man know that you care a straw for him. 
(goes up c.) 

Suzanne. (dolefully) I'm afraid that Mr. 
Strong knows that I care a whole haystack for him. 

Miriam, (down l.) He'll speak to me, will he? 
The first time he finds me alone. I'll give him a 
chance. We shall see. (Stuoj^g laughs off l.) Sh! 
— Go see what they are doing. (Suzanne runs up 
L. c, peeps through the portiere) 

Suzanne. They are coming in! Let's hide 
and — 
(Re-enter Mrs. S. D. r. 2. Miriam does not see her, 

hut Suzanne does, and changes at once to extreme 

innocence) 

Miriam. No, let us — (Suzanne malces a gesture 
of warning) 

Suzanne, (dotvn l. c. Very demurely) Why, 
there's your mama now. Mayn't we go out on the 
veranda, Mrs. Stuart-Dodge ? It isn't a bit damp. 

Mrs. S. D. (c.) Certainly. And I will go with 
you. (despair of both) If it were damp, my 
neuralgia — 

Miriam, (l. QuicJcly) But it is damp. 

Suzanne. Awful. 

Mrs. S. D. (to Miriam) Then you cannot go. 

Miriam. Oh, but it isn't as damp as that, is it, 
Suzanne ? 

Suzanne. I'll see. (runs up r. c. out on veranda, 
fans herself with her hands) Oh, no ! It isn't a bit 
too damp for us — but if I had neuralgia — I'd be 
afraid. 

Mrs. S. D. (smiling) Very well. I see you 



I 



M THE BUTTERFLIES 

want to be alone together. But you must have a 
wrap — 

Miriam. A wrap ! — I'd roast ! 

Mes. S. D. (r. c.) This is light. (taJces the 
lace scarf from her shoulders, puts it on Miriam. 
L. c. Suzanne delighted) Don't stay out long. 
{then slightly raising her voice, to Suzanne) Where 
is Barrington? 

Suzanne. Gone to the hotel. He'll be back soon. 
(up to veranda) 

Mrs. S. 1). (r. c. To Miriam; lower voice) 
That will give you a chance to get better acquainted 
with Mr. Strong. E-norraously rich, my dear — and 
if anything should come between you and Barring- 
ton — (then to Suzanne, who comes down c. r.) Mr. 
Strong is not engaged to or interested in any one, is 
he? (Suzanne gasps with amazement) 

Suzanne. How — how should I know — (Miriam 
restrains her) 

Mrs. S. D. {meaninghj, to Miriam) You un- 
derstand, dear. I will leave you together, {exit r. 

2) 

Suzanne. What did she mean by — {go l. c. to 

Miriam. Strong laughs off l. c. Both start) 

Miriam. They're coming! {dreamy ivaltz music 
offn.) 

Fred. {Off l. c.) It is no laughing matter to 
me. 

Suzanne, {whisper) Quick, (they run to stair-- 
case L.) We can sneak out to the veranda by the 
other stairs, (they go up; Strong r. and Frederick 
L. enter up L. both in evening clothes with bouton- 
nieres) 

Miriam. Hide close! (Suzanne up c. shrinks be- 
hind the large vase, clinging to Miriam; Miriam 
down stage) 

Strong. Quite extraordinary. I don't quite un- 
derstand American society. 

Fred, (with nervous rapidity) Don't try to. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 55 

There is only one man who ever did understand it, 
and he's dead, {they come doivn L. c.) Keep out of 
society. You would never succeed in it. You are 
too clever. You alarm persons with ideas. Never 
bring ideas into society. Ideas make persons think. 
You have filled your noddle up with — with art^ and 

— and that sort of rubbish, don't you know, and 
literature — which is all very well in its way, but 
tommy-rot to society persons, don't you see, — and 
then, you are a bee — I am a butterfly. You work 

— I flit. I succeed in society. You never would. 
Strong, (c.) But — if you never discuss art, 

and — 

Fred. (l. c.) No, no — wouldn't do. 

Strong. But how do you converse ? 

Fred. I never converse in society. I twitter. 
{sits on divan l. under railing of stairs) I shall 
never twitter again, {dejectedly) 

Strong, {approaching him) Cheer up a bit, old 
chap. I didn't think you were so hard hit. {sits 
beside him) 

Fred, {mechanically getting out a cigarette-case, 
offers to Strong) Hard hit ! — who wouldn't be ! — 
Did you ever see such eyes ! — such a throat ! — such 
hair! so heavenly a smile! — {business for Miriam 
a?id Suzanne, overhearing this) Ah ! — and you've 
never been in love. Strong! (Suzanne leans over 
the railing) 

Strong, {also attitude of dejection) Then I 
don't know what ails me. {business for Miriam and 
Suzanne) 

Fred. There is only one girl in the whole world 

— there has only been ONE since the dawn of crea- 
tion! 

Strong. Quite so. {both Miriam and Suzanne 
delighted) 

Fred. WTiat a mysterious power love is. 

Strong. Isn't it ! 
(Miriam mahes signs to Suzanne to pelt them with 



56 THE BUTTERFLIES 

rose leaves, they hreak up the roses on their cor- 

sages.) 

Fred. If I were hlind, I would know if she en- 
tered the room. I could FEEL her presence. 
(Miriam and Suzanne Jet a few rose leaves fall; 

Suzanne sprinkling Strong, Miriam Frederick; 

then they dodge bach out of view.) 
(Stop No. 8 music.) 

Strong, (fervently) So could I. (brushes a 
rose-leaf off his head; looks up; then, sotto-voice) 
Most extraordinary! (then sees the roses in vase 
over his head, and is evidently satisfied that the petals 
fell from them; Fred too deeply in thought to no- 
tice) 

Fred. Of course I know that I do not deserve her. 
(Miriam cautiously peeps oid, and she and Suzanne 
begin to sprinkle rose leaves again) She is above me 

— (Miriam starts) in a way — (she sees his meaning) 

— just as your sweetheart is above you. (business 
for Suzanne) 

Strong. Quite so ! 

Frederick. If she only knew how I love her"! 
(Miriam aiid Suzanne sprinkling petals again) — 
but she never will . . . never ! ( Strong brushes 
a petal from his head; both girls dodge back; he 
looks up) 

Strong. Eemarkable how those roses moult! 
(Miriam and Suzanne stealthily peep out again, and 

are about to sprinkle more leaves, ivhen STiiONG 

looks up suddenly and catches them.) 

Strong. I saw you! (both make him a gesture 
of silence) — Quite so ! (Miriam leans over to whis- 
per; he rises) Eh ? 

Fred, (gloomily; same position) 1 said that she 
must know I love her. 

Strong. Certainly, she does, old chap. 
(Miriam scatters all the rose leaves in her hand upon 
Frederick's head.) 

Fred, (more gloomily; brushes a petal from his 



THE BUTTERFLIES 57 

head) I shall go to Cuba with .you to-morrow. 
(Brushes another petal from his head; Miriam ges- 
tures Strong that Fred must not go) 

Strong. No, old chap. You've never had yellow 
fever. I have. 

Miriam, {aside to Suzanne) How can we get 
out on the veranda without being seen ? 

Suzanne, (ivhisper) By the other staircase. 
I'll show you. 
(Miriam mahes a gesture of silence to Strong, 

who nods assent; exuent Miriam and Suzanne iip 

stairs.) 

Fred. Yellow fever is — pooh! (Jcnocls another 
leaf from his head) I would rather — (Miriam a7id 
Suzanne hreah into uncontrollable laughter off l.) 
Her voice! (rises — laugh — listens, the laughter 
dying aivay in the distance. He hnocTcs more petals 
from his head) She is laughing — laughing — 
while I ! Where the devil did all those rose leaves 
come from? (then excitedly) Did you throw them 
on me? (folloiving scene very rapid) 

Strong. I ? — No, dear boy ! — I fancy that 
vahs — 

Fred. I was not under it — and they're not the 
same kind of roses. They were here! (goes quickly 
out to c, to look up the stairs; looks up stairs) 
You saw them — 

Strong, (goes l. c. Confused, trying to evade) 
Eeally, old chap — 

Fred. (l. of Strong) Look me in the eye ! 

Strong. I — I — 

Fred, (rapturously) I knew it ! — she was here ! 
— she heard me ! — she knows I love her — she has 
filled m}^ whole life with blossoms ! (gathers up 
petals from the divan, presses them to his lips) — 
she is mine ! — mine ! 

Strong. But her mother — 

Fred, (frantically) BLOW her mother ! — (then 
rapidly; lower tone) Strong, you must help me. I 



m THE BUTTERFLIES 

know that Miriam is as wild as I for an interview. 
She will return. When she does, you choke her 
mother — will you ? 

Strong, (sits on divan) Choke her mother — 

Fred, (l.) Yes — choke her — that means, keep 
her away while I have a word with Miriam, — with 
Miriam ! Oh, how the whole world of thorns has 
blossomed into tenderness. I'd like to see anything 
make me unhappy now. {glances up stage. Miriam 
and Suzanne languidly saunter hy, on the veranda 
from L. to R. ivithout looking down stage. Frederick 
dodges hack behind angle, of the staircase) Sh! 

Strong. What is it, old chap? {attempt to rise; 
Fred forces him hack; lays finger on lips) 

Miriam, {panting; aside to Suzanne) Is he 
looking ? 

Suzanne, {aside; panting) Yes, shall we go in? 

Miriam, {aside) !N^ot for a minute. Oh, how 
my heart beats! {exeunt sloivly, going r.) 

Fred, {amazed) They didn't drop those rose 
leaves. 

Strong. Yes, they did! 

Fred, {air of conviction) No ! There they are ! 
Sh! {forces Strong doivn again as he attempts to 
rise. Suzanne and Miriam re-appear again appar- 
ently studying landscape and harbor) 

Miriam. {quick whisper; aside) Is he still 
there ? 

Suzanne, {takes a quick look) Mh-m! {excit' 
edly) Yes. 

. Miriam, {leaning over balcony as if unconscious 
of Fred's pi-esence) How exquisite the sky! the 
water ! that lighthouse ! like a dream ! 

Fred, {nudging Strong) Like a dream! 

Miriam. And Mr. Strong's yacht — 

Suzanne, {rapturously) It doesn't seem like a 
yacht, does it ? — it seems like Heaven ! 

Fred, {aside) Strong, your yacht seems like 
Heaven ! 



THE BUTTERFLIES 59 

Miriam, {obviously for Strong) How would 
you like to float away in a yacht like that and sail 
. . . and sail . . . and sail . . . 

Fred, {sotto voce) And sail, {falling inflec' 
Hon) 

Suzanne. And be all alone — 

Miriam. All alone? 

Suzanne, {long-drawn sentimental sigh) Alone 
with the man you love. (Fred eager for Miriam's 
reply) 

Strong, {sentimentally) The man she loves ! 

Miriam, {languid indifference) I wouldn't like 
it. {then quickly aside) Is he there yet? 

Suzanne, {glances quickly) Mh-m! — But you 
do love him? 

Fred, {aside, dismally) She wouldn't like it. 

Miriam. {aside) I love him — madly. {then, 
aloud, and obviously for Fred's benefit) No, a man 
is always so conceited, my dear, {coming down, sits 
on sofa R. Suzanne stands behind her) 

Fred, {sotto voce, with a gulp) Conceited ! 

Miriam, {as before) He thinks if you look at 
him, you are in love with him. (Fred groans) 

Suzanne. Mh-m ! 

Miriam, {ivith vicious emphasis) And that it 
will break your heart if he goes away ! How absurd ! 
(Frederick groans) — and sometimes he is impu- 
dent enough to think he could speak to you if he 
found you alone! (Frederick collapses) Even if 
I loved him, I would HATE him ! — 

Fred, {dismally) Did you hear that? (Miriam 
and Suzanne go up to the veranda again) Now, I'll 
wrench her heart ! {takes Strong's arm, strolling c. 
the girls look) Yes! {dismal sigh) I will go to- 
morrow morning early, {sits on divan d. c. Strong 
L. of him) 

Strong. Go where? — I — (Fred gives him a> 
vicious prod; jerks his thumb towards the girls) — 
0, I see ! 



60 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Fred, {aloud and more dismally) I know there 
is yellow fever there, but — is it very fatal? {winks 
at Strong; Miriam and Suzanne listening intently) 

Strong. Not when you're used to it — (Fred 
gives him another prod) I — unless you recover, it 

— it is quite fatal. 

Fred, {as before) I know that I will get it. I 
am addicted to fevers. Perhaps it will be fatal, but 

— {despairing gesture; sinks hack, then aside to 
Strong) Is she wilting? 

Miriam, {aside to Suzanne; nose in air) As 
if I didn't see through him! (Suzanne nods; try- 
ing to repress laughter. As Strong turns to look, 
hoth girls turn quickly to study the heavens and 
harbor) 

Strong. No, dear boy. She doesn't wilt. 

Miriam, {smoothly) Mama was afraid to come 
here. She is afraid of yellow fever, {ivith scorn; 
Fred listening intently; clutches at Strong) 

Suzanne. And aren't you? (Miriam gestures 
to her to go in; they stroll in together) 

Miriam. If Of yellow fever ? If {airy scorn) 
Aunt Winslow had it, and she says it is really noth- 
ing at all, imless you happen to die — of course then 
it is unbecoming, because it makes you look like a 
spoiled lemon. (Suzanne nods gravely) 

Fred, {aside; wilted) Spoiled lemon! 

Miriam, (r. c. Affected surprise) Why there 
is Mr. Strong ! 

Suzanne, (r. also affected surprise) So it is — 
and Frederick! {going to liim) 

Strong, (l. c.) Quite so. (Fred makes him a 
quick gesture, implying that he wishes to be pre- 
sented to Miriam) 

Strong. {to Fred) Certainly — Miss Stuart- 
Dodge, — {X's to her. Elaborate preparations on the 
part of Fred for the introduction) — may I have the 
honor of — (Miriam makes a quick gesture to Su- 



THE BUTTERFLIES 61 

ZANNE, implying that she does not wish to he intro- 
duced) — my friend, Mr. — 

Miriam, (suddenly) Oh ! — I left my fan on 
the veranda ! — Won't you come, Mr. Strong, and 
help me find it? (goes a little way up r. c.) 

Strong. Certainly — I — {going to her), but — 
quite extraordinary, don't you know — but you have 
your fan! 

(Suzanne goes to Fred. l. of him.) 

Miriam. Why so I have — how funny ! — 
(Suzanne l. c. hands hehind her, regards Frederick 

gravely.) 

Strong. Quite so, but allow me — 
(Fred again hraces up: Miriam hurriedly interrupts 

Strong.) 

Miriam. I — it was only an excuse to have a 
little chat with you (coquettishly) , and you caught 
me ! (slipping her L. arm through his with a light 
laugh and leading him up stage) 

Strong. I — I — upon my honor, don't you ' 
know — 

Miriam, (shaking her fan at him as they go up) 
I believe you are — a flirt ! 

Strong. No — upon honor, — I assure you ! 
(They go up to the arch and stand in the moonlight ; 
Miriam very -flirtatious, hut watching Fred.) 

Suzanne, (slowly shakes her head) Poor Fred ! 
— Do you feel as bad as you look ? 

Fred. Worse, (jerks his thumh towards Miriam; 
tries to speak; gulps, then thumps his heart twice) 
. . . broken! 

Suzanne, (gravely, and without much sympathy) 
W-e-1-1, her mother asked her to promise that she 
wouldn't let any one present you. 

Fred. And . . . [again indicating Miriam. 
Gulp. Suzanne nods, then suavely) 

Suzanne. She promised, (he sinks hack on the 
divan. She fans him) 



62 THE BUTTEEFLIES 

Miriam, (r. c. sinoothly) Why must you leave 
us to-morrow? (coming to L. of the divan) 

Strong, (r.) It is most unpleasant, but my 
agent in Cuba, in charge of all my affairs there — 
was inconsiderate enough to get yellow fever — and 
now he's dead and all that sort of thing, don't you 
see? 

Miriam. (leading him l. c. above the divan) 
But why not send some one in your place, — some one 
who doesn't mind risking his life for a trifle? (point- 
edly; comes down r. of the divan and sits. Fred is 
on the left side of it facing l. ; Suzanne standing 
near him) You certainly must not risk yours. Be- 
sides — (hechons him to tend down; she whispers 
him) 

Fred, (sotto voce) A — a trifle! — You heard 
her! (to Suzanne) 

Suzanne, (aside to Fred, in a tone of smooth 
indiffererice) W-e-1-1, I did my best, (fixing the 
flower on her corsage) I told her that you said you 
knew she loved you. . . . (Fred horrified) and 
that you said if you went away, it would hreak her 
heart. ... I did all / could, didn't I. 

Fred, (miserably) You certainly did. 

Suzanne. (And tlien I — 

Fred. Never mind the rest! (attitude of pro- 
found dejection) 

Suzanne, (with difficulty repressing a laugh) 
What else can I do? 

Fred, (broken-hearted) Nothing, thank 3'OU — 
unless — if you happen to see the coroner — tell him 
I am ready. (Head in hand; elbow on Tcnee. Su- 
zanne quaking ivith silent laughter) 

Strong, (to Miriam) Eh? — then you're only 
chaffing — (she checks him; goes up C, motions to 
Suzanne to take Strong away; Suzanne nods as- 
sent, beckons to Strong) Oh, yes ! — I see ! — Ila, 
ha! (she checks him; Suzanne beckons him; both 
tiptoe up to R. c. ; then Miriam makes a sign fot 



THE BUTTERFLIES 63 

Suzanne to hole off r. 2, Suzanne goes to door e., 
cautiously^ peeps off) . . . Most extraordinary, 
these Americans ! — 

Fred, (aside; despairingly) Did it to oblige me ! 
. Miriam. Suzanne ! 

Suzanne. (to Miriam; indicating r.) Your 
mother; she's there; reading letters. Sli! — (goes 
up R. c. Miriam sits on r. side of the divan; sinks 
back, her right hand ivith handkerchief, and the cor- 
ner of the lace scarf extended to midway hettueen her- 
self and Frederick. During the following she 
withdraius her hand, leaving the handkerchief and 
scarf. Suzanne takes one end of tlie screen up r. c. 
and beckons to Strong to take the other; finger on 
lips to enjoin silence. Strong takes the other end 
of the screen, on tiptoe they carry it down to a point 
midivay between the door r. and Frederick; adjust 
it; then speaking off R. ; extreme innocence) Yes, 
Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, to keep out the draft, (pause) 
No, Miriam is not in a draft — she is in the warmest 
corner of the whole room, (sneaks up R. c. ; and 
then nods to Miriam, implying that it is all right) 
Poor Fred! (then smothers a laugh with her hand- 
kerchief) 

Strong. (aside, to Suzanne) Really — if I 
were in his place — I'd be most unhappy too, don't 
you know? 

Suzanne, (loivered eyes, and mischievously)' 
Would you? (to Miriam, comes down l. of m.) 
I'll take him away for five minutes. 

Miriam. Say fifteen. (crosses to Suzanne.) 
Would you like to see how your yacht looks in the 
moonlight ? 

Strong, (eagerly) Eh? 

Suzanne. Would you . . . (marches up to 
him, chin in air, hands behind her; marches out into 
the moonlight, turns, gives him a languishing look, 
smiles and still smiling and looking at him exit r. c, 
going r.) 



M THE BUTTERFLIES 

Strong, (holes after her) Upon my word, I — 
I wonder what she meant by that. I — (nerving 
himself up) I'll ask her. 
[{Exit, going r. A moment's pause. Miriam 

glances out of the corner of her eyes towards Fred, 

who is in the same attitude of despair, evidently 

unconscious that she is in the room.) 

Miriam, (enjoying the situation, hut half fright- 
ened) Well, — he is alone with me ! — I — I wonder 
if he'll dare speak to me. I — I'm afraid he will, 
and — (pause) I'm afraid he won't. 

Fred, (deep gloom) No nse. . . . I'll go 
to Cuba. . . . Yes. What odds ! After that 
interview with her mother to-day, yellow fever will 
seem as mild as buttermilk. . . . Yes, I'll go. 
(While he speaks the above, Miriam cranes her neck 
around to get a^peep a this face. As he speaks the 
last ivords, he turns toivards her. She instantly re- 
covers her former position. Ilis eye lights on the 
handkerchief. He starts. His eye slowly follows 
the scarf till he sees that she is there, ivhen he also 
quickly turns his face away) Great heav — ! She 
is here ! 

Miriam, (aside) I — I wish that Suzanne would 
— (gulp) — would come back, (looks uneasily up r. 
C. turning to her left) 

Fred, (resolutely) I'll speak to her. (draws 
himself up) I — (pause; mops his face) I — ■ 
(weakens) — no — (looks again at the handkerchief) 
■ — no. SHE also would think it " impertinent and 
obnoxious." That handkerchief. She would not 
miss it, and — it has touched her hand — her lips. 
(reaches slowly for it) 

Miriam, (very nervous) This is dreadful! I 
■ — what can I do — I — I'll go. Where's my hand- 
ker — (feels for handkerchief; reaching slowly out 
for it without looking) 

Fred. (looks up r. c. ajid feeling for the Jiand- 
Jicrchief with his left hand) Nobody looking! 



THE BUTTERFLIES 65 

(their fingers touch; Miriam jerhs her hand awaij 
with a gasp; she sits upright. He starts also at the 
touch) 

Miriam. How perfectly bold! (half frightened, 
half indignant) If he had spoken to me — and asked 
for it — but, now, he shan't have it. (looks, sees 
his fingers cautionsly feeling for it; she deftly picks 
up the handkerchief) 

Fred. No — that wasn't her hand! (feeling 
again for the handkerchief without looking, gets hold 
of the trailing end of the scarf. He lifts it, feels that 
it is lace; his face lights up. Re-enter Mrs. Stuart- 
Dodge, R., letters in her hand; goes up r. c; looks 
down stage, sees them; stops horror-stricken. Fred 
aside) Her handkerchief! (stealthily draws it to- 
wards him, not looking, Miriam sees what he is do- 
ing; sloiuly rises, the scarf slipping from her 
shoulders) In my cruel exile, I'll wear it out with 
kisses, (begins stuffing it in his pocket, his face 
showing increased surprise when each thrust of his 
hand fails to get it all in. Suzanne and Strong 
saunter in on veranda, going up toivard L. they pause, 
looking off towards the harbor) 

Miriam, (breathless with amazement) Well . . . 
in . . . in . . . my . . . life ! 

Mrs. S. D. (volcanic burst) MIRIAM! (All 
start; Fred rises; Miriam utters a cry and stands 
(^bashed. Strong and Suzanne turn, come just un- 
der the arch r. c. Mrs. S. D. crosses to r. c, with 
a freezing smile) That bit of point lace not only 
has intrinsic value, but it is an heirloom. (Fred 
starts) May I — trouble you? 

Fred. (c. recovering his self-possession) You may. 
(draws it slowly from his pocket; folds it once; puts 
it over his left arm; approaches her) Madam, I 
trust you will find it uninjured, (draws it off with 
his right hand, offers it to her ivith a bow; she takes 
it) 

& 



66 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Mrs. S. D. (r. c. with majestic dignity) I am 
glad to find it at all. 

Fred. Madam, I — 

Mrs. S. D. {checks him; tvith venomous smooth- 
ness) Explanation is entirely unnecessary — the cir- 
cumstance speaks for itself, (going towards dooi' r.) 

Miriam, (r. c. suddenly) Mother — {then to 
all) I — it was all my fault — I — (Mrs. S. D. 
checl'S her) 

{Re-enter Barrington r. u. e. with hat and over- 
coat on. He is evidently excited,, and somewhat 

under the influence of liquor.) 

Barr. {as he enters, quicldy, to Suzanne, r. c. 
above) Where is Miriam? {then seeing Fred) 
Ah! There you are! {tone of mingled anger and 
contempt) 

Fred. Yes, what do you wish? 

Barr. I don't wish anything ; somebody else does. 
Your tailor! He is coming, {pointing r., up r. c. ; 
ALL start) 

Mrs. S. D. (r.) Tailor! (Fred straightens 
up) 

Barr. He is coming into our house to collect — 

Fred, {takes a step toivards him as if about to 
strike; then controls himself) You have been drink- 
ing. 

Barr. (c. with a sneer, and loudly) If I have, I 
paid for it. 

Fred. (c. l.) You — 

Miriam, {eyes blazing ivith indignation) Bar- 
rington ! {starts towards him. x. c. Fred gives 
way to L.) 

Mrs. S. D. Daughter ! — 

Miriam (c. Low voice to Barr.) How . . . 
DARE . . . you? 

Mrs. S. D. {quietly ; but with imposing severity) 
Daughter . . . please leave the room. (Su- 
zanne comes doivn, l. of Fred takes Fred's hand) 

Suzanne. I am ashamed of my brother. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 67 

Barr. (r. c. sullenly glancing from Fred to 
Miriam) I — If he hadn^t tried to steal you from 
me — (Mrs. S. D. cJiecks him) 

Mrs. S. D. Daughter! {indicating r.) Please — 
Miriam, (head erect; eyes flashing, hut ivith 
calmness, looJcing at Barr.) Not until I have an- 
swered him. (to Barr.) Mr. Ossian could not steal 
me from you, for I never gave you the right to call 
me yours. 

Mrs. S. D. (starts; heseechinghj) Daughter — 
Miriam, (slowly drawing from her finger the en- 
gagement ring) No! . . . Even to please you 

— I was unwomanly to wear this for a moment. 
(tosses the ring at Barrixgton's feet. Looks at 
him with head erect and eyes flashing; then at Fred 
who is standing L. c. ivith face partly averted, evi- 
dently struggling to restrain his anger. She seems 
about to speak; when after a slight pause) 

Mrs. S. D. (gently) Daughter, you are acting in 
anger, and — 

Miriam, (lifts her head proudly and looks at her 
mother) Anger! You are mistaken. I — (sud- 
denly breaks down; turns; buries her face in her 
hands, and with a stifled sob hurries from the room 

R. U. E.) 

Barr. (stoops and picks up the ring; then in a 
loud insulting tone to Fred) This is all your doing, 
and — (Mrs. S. D. restrains him) 

Fred, (his anger getting the best of him) You 

— (makes motion towards Barr.; is restrained by 
Suzanne) 

Suzanne. Please, Frederick, (then to Barr.) 
Wait till papa knows, Barry ! 

Mrs. S. D. (in a low voice to Barr.) Come and 
explain to Miriam. She doesn't mean half what slie 
says, (leading him r.) 

Barr. (loud tone, looking towards Fred) Yes, 
but I mean — (is checked by Mrs. S. D.) 



68 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Mrs. S. D. (quietly; smiling, with a glance at 
Fred) Come — we will find Miriam. 

Barr. You told me to be disagreeable. (Mrs. 
S. D. and Barr. exeunt r. u. 2 e.) 

Suzanne. (breathless with indignation) The 
hateful old thing ! And if papa doesn't fan Barry ! 
— M ! — Never mind them, Fred ! — If you owed all 
the tailors in the world, I love you! (arms about 
him) 

Fred, (pets Jier hand) Yes, yes — I know — I 
know — 

(Re-enter on the veranda, Green and Mrs. Ossian. 
He makes a gesture enjoining silence, and evi- 
dently asking her to go. She goes ivith evident 
reluctance, clasping her hands as in distress. He 
looks after her a moment, then comes down) 
Strong, (dining the foregoing business, aside) 
Poor chap ! — I must help him — even if I promised 
Green I wouldn't — (comes down to him) I say, 
dear fellow — (r.) 

Green, (cheerfully, coming down r.) Through 
smoking, eh ? — Good. Now Frederick we can have 
that chat you promised me? 

Suzanne, (r. of Fred, X'ing to Green) Before 
you chat, papa, I'm going to tell you that Barring- 
ton — 

Green. No Chickie. If it's anything that's 
goin' to make Barry more unpopular with me than 
he is now, put it off a little for his sake. You and 
Strong amble out and take in the magnolias and the 
moon. Come, Strong. 

Strong, (c. aside to Fred) Cheer up, old chap. 
All's well that ends, you know — and — faint heart 
and all that sort of thing — and — every cloud has 
a lining, don't you see, and that sort of rubbish — 
cheer up. 

Fred. (l. c. Pulls himself together) Yes. 

(Strong slaps him on shoulders then go to r. u.) 

Suzanne, (to Green) But I hate to be fired! 



THE BUTTERFLIES 69 

Green. And I hate to fire you. But I've got 
business, (then to Strong as tie comes up, indi- 
cating Fred) You know. 
{As Strong answers " Quite so " — drop down a hit.) 

Strong. Quite so. (then to Suzanne) May I 
hear the tree-toad sing? 

Suzanne. (dolefully) I don't know. If he 
feels as / do now, he won't sing much. 
(Exeunt Suzanne and Strong r. c. going r. A 

moment's pause; Green half tvay up r. c. ivatching 

Fred, who is down c, and standing in gloomy 

thought.) 

Green, (aside) He's kind of flabbergasted — 
reckon he has heard from Bilser. (aloud) Well, 
my boy, your mother told me a few minutes ago, 
you wanted to have a bit of a chat with me. What 
has Barry been saying? 

Fred. Nothing — I — he made a hasty remark, 
and — but let that go. A sudden emergency has 
arisen. 

Green, (r. c.) Some money troubles, eh ? 

Fred. (l. c.) Yes. The fact is, Abram Hutch- 
ins has not made any collections of late from our 
tenants, and — and — (then with sudden determina- 
tion) Frankly, I want to raise some money by 
morl^age, and as mother has placed all her affairs in 
your hands, I — (Green seats himself r. c.) — I 
necessarily come to you. 

Green, (assuming a stolid business air) You 
have some debts? 

Fred, (starts, then composes himself) Yes. 

Green. One of them — Bilser the tailor — has 
followed you here. 

(Fred starts again, and with a less successful effort 

at control.) 

Fred. Yes. 

Green, (same air) Three of your other cred- 
itors have assigned their claims to Bilser, and — 

Fred, (losing his temper) What does this 



T'O THE BUTTERFLIES 

mean? I have never been dunned in my life until 
now. Don't' these men know — 

Green. (checJc^ him) My boy — the business 
world is run on business principles. When men 
know that their money is sure, they are never un- 
easy, (calmly and without looking at Fred) Per- 
haps they have heard that you have run through 
your money. (Fred looks at him amazedJy) 

Fred. Eun through my money — [then, as see- 
ing) Well, yes. I suppose that as fast as my 
money came in I have run through it. But — we 
have property. 

Green, (in a quiet, husiness-Uke manner) You 
have been frank with me. I will be frank with you. 
Your mother has some little property, and — you 
had some, but it is gone. 

Fred. Gone! (amazement) GOXE! 

Green, (as before) Gone, (nurses Ms left 
Tcnee and rocks sloivly) 

Fred, (breathless with surprise and horror) Im- 
possible ! . . . The house on Eleventh Street ? 

Green. Mortgaged. 

Fred. (increased amazement) Mortgaged? 
(Green nods gravely) The tenement on Avenue A? 

Green. (same manner) Two mortgages on 
that. Notice of foreclosure came this morning. 
Two lots in Harlem mortgaged up to their full 
value, and so is the farm in Westchester County. 

Fred, (looks at him, unable to realize) Mort- 
gage — foreclosure — Why ? 

Green. To keep you goin'. (Fred recoils to 
divan, buries his face in his hands. Green ap- 
proaches him, then in kindly tone, laying his hand 
on his shoulder) To keep you goin'. My boy — 
you've been foolish. You've danced all summer like 
the grasshopper, and now the winter has come. 

Fred. Yes ! — winter has come ! Everything 
gone — and now — (srnites his hands sharply; atti^ 
tude of despair) 



THE BUTTERFLIES 71 

Green. T know it's hard. 

Fred. I deserve it — It isn't for myself I care ! 
But — 

Green. Don't worry about licr. I've divided the 
estate, as it should have been divided long ago, and 
she has somethin' left that ain't eat up by loans. 
Not much, but — somethin'. Your mother let you 
go on and on, and never had the heart to say no 
when you wanted money — I suppose that she was 
always hopin' that you would come to your senses 
and go to work. But you didn't. Then I took you 
in hand — and I've brought you to book. 

Fred. To book — yes. 

Green, {sits off c. r. of Fred) To book. I 
sent for Bilser to come down here — and I got your 
other creditors to crowd you. I knew it would 
shame you — I knew it was bitter medicine — but I 
wanted you to know that idleness is a mean partner, 
and that credit is a blessing you mustn't fool with. 

Fred, (same attitude and despairingly) And so 
. . . I have — nothing. 

Green. (taJces check from his pocket) Oh yes, 
you have. I sold the Westchester farm, and after 
payin' the mortgages and interest, there's some little 
left over — here's the check for it. (gives it to him) 

Fred, (without looking) Thank you. (takes it 
mechanically) 

Green, (aside) And now I reckon I'll let him 
suffer a bit — I'll let him realize, (exit r. u. e.) 

Fred, (wearily passes his hand over his forehead; 
then slowly trying to realize) Gone! 
Everything. Of all I had — nothing left me, but — 
(reads check) "Mechanics and Traders' Bank; pay 
to the order of Frederick Ossian forty-two hundred 
and seventy-one dollars. Hiram Green, Trustee." 
(sloivly) Forty-two hundred — (his face brightens) 
That's more than enough to pay them all, and I can 
start square with the world. Yes! (with sudden 
determination; rises) If other men can carve their 



72 THE BUTTERFLIES 

way from nothing, so can I, and I will. {Re-enter 
Coddle r. c. with salver. Going toward r. 2) I — 
Well? 

Coddle. I beg pardon, sir, but Mrs. Stuart- 
Dodge — Mr. Bilser has called. 

Fred. Bilser? He has come to see me. 

Coddle. He said Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, sir. 

Fred, {taking the card; reads) "Nathaniel 
Bilser.^' Show him in. 

Coddle. Yes, sir. {exit r. c.) 

Fred. How dare he follow me here? But I un- 
derstand now. Hiram Green told him to do it — and 
he was right. Never mind, I have the money. I 
will endorse this, and — {goes rapidly r. ; looJcing off 
R. ; stops. Stands a moment struggling with his 
feelings; controls himself hy a mighty effort; goes 
to table in room r. ; sits, and endorses check) 
{Re-enter Coddle and Bilser. r. c.) 

Bilser. (l. c.) But I do not wish to see Mr. 
Ossian — it is Mrs. Stuart-Dodge. Please give her 
my card — most important business. 
(Coddle hoius; he is going r. and Fred 7ises; re- 
enters.) 

CoDDiE. (r. c.) Mr. Bilser wishes to see — 

Fred. A moment. I have some business with 
him. (Coddle hoivs and exit L. c. ; then Fred calm 
hut decided tone; — scene crescendo from here to 
end) You have come to collect your money. 

Bilser. (l. 3.) I beg pardon, Mr. Ossian — 

Fred. (r. c. With difficulty controlling his an- 
ger) You have had three other claims assigned to 
you. 

Bilser. I have sir, but — 

Fred. Give them to me. 

Bilser. {taking papers from his pocket) But, 
really, sir, — I must insist — I do not want your 
money, sir, — I refuse to take it — Here are the three 
assignments, sir, sent me, but I decline, sir, to have 
anything to do with them, and I so told Mr. Green. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 73 

(Fred takes papers) You must let me explain, Mr. 
Ossian. 

Fred. I wish no explanation, {examining the 
three papers) 

BiLSER. I — dear me — this is very unfortunate. 
{aside) 

Freo. {rapidly looTcitig at the papers) Four 
hundred and sixt}^ — three hundred — four hundred 
and eighty — a paltry twelve hundred dollars — and 
I have spent thousands with these men. {then turns 
-fiercely upon Bilser) How much is your account? 

BiLSER. I — you must let me explain, sir — It is 
only about a thousand — but I decline to take your 
money, sir, — at least, not now. I came here, sir, to 
collect from Mrs. Stuart-Dodge — (Fred starts) 
Madame Cretonne's bill — nearly three thousand dol- 
lars, and — 

Fred. {amazed) Mrs. Stuart-Dodge ! — You 
came to collect from her ! — 

Bilser. (l. c.) Yes, sir, — Madame Cretonne — 
er — my promised wife — giving long credit has al- 
most ruined her — this account is nearly three thou- 
sand dollars, and over two years' standing — (Fred 
breaks into exultant laughter) 

Fred. You came to collect from her? {pointing 

Bilser. Y es, sir — and I promised to either col- 
lect or sue at once. I — I saw a lawyer to-day and 
I have the summons here. 

Fred. (c. as before) A summons! {laughs) 
Not for me, then, but for her! {looking r.) And she 
— she who insulted me, — insulted my mother ! She 
has debts, too ! — and — three thousand dollars ! — 
It is for that she is selling her daughter ! — By 
Heaven, we shall see! Come! {taking him by the 
hand and dragging him r.) There is Mrs. Stuart- 
Dodge {indicating r.), there! (starts, then in a 
hoarse whisper) No ! I forgot Miriam. Stand 
back ! — Don't let her see you ! . . . They are 



74 THE BUTTERFLIES 

coming this way. {forcing him up l. Re-enter 
Green r. u. e. Go, go — you must ! I myself will 
— (sees Green; stops) 

BiLSER. I am sorry — but — (Fred lays his hand 
upon Bilser's arm) 

Green, {down r. c. Cheerfully) Well, been 
havin' a business talk, eh ? Now, I — {Re-enter Mrs. 
Stuart-Dodge, quickly, r. 2 e.) 

Mrs. S. D. (r.) Mr. Green — my daughter has 
just broken her engagement with your son — on ac- 
count of this — person's interference — 

Green. My dear madam — Fred is — 

Mrs. S. D. Dependent on his mother — 

Green. No ma'am — he has money — {up a hit 
as Mrs. 8. D. X's then down r.) 

Mrs. S. D. ■ Money ! Then why has this dun fol- 
lowed him to Florida? (x. to r. c.) 

Bilser. (l.) You are wrong, ma'am. I came 
• — {going to her with the summons) 

Fred. (l. c.) Stop! . . . {then calmly) 
Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, you have chosen to insult me — 
insult my mother — in this house — why? 

Mrs. S. D. Why? {then, ivith intense scorn) 
Because you have tried to win my daughter. You 
— with not a dollar in the world — how dare you 
come into a young girl's life — come between {chok- 
ing with anger) her and her future ! — What home 
coukl you offer her ! — What money have you to — 

Fred, {losing his control) Enough! I had in- 
tended sparing you, but you have — {re-enter Miriam, 
R. 2 e. He stops short, seeing her) 

Mrs. S. D. (r. c.) Go on! Say it! Say it — 
before her, and show her the kind of a man for 
whom — 

Miriam, (x. c.) No! — I will speak! I have 
been silent too long ! — Mr. Ossian . . . I — I 
wish to say to you that — {he checks her; re-enter 
Barry r. u. e.) 



THE BUTTERFLIES 75 

Fred. '(l. c.) T understand, Miss Stuart-Dodge, 
without your speaking. 

Barry (r. c. hetiveen Green" and Mrs. S. D.) 
And I understand — 

Green. Barry ! 

Mrs. S. D. Why is this man here ? — if you have 
money — unless you cannot pay, or are dishonorable 

— (x. to L. of Miriam. Re-enter Mrs. Ossian r. u. 
E. go to L. c.) 

BiLSER. I came to — 

Fred. (cJiecMng him) He came to collect — 
some debts — and — 

Mrs. S. D. (sneeringly) And you — are going 
to — 

Fred, (quietly and ivith dignity) To pay them 

— yes. (then to Bilser) Give me all those ac- 
counts ! — Give me that summons ! 

Mrs. S. D. (with a sneering smile) A sum- 
mons ! — Even that disgrace ! 

Mrs. 0. (coming down, l. of Fred and r. of 
Bilser) Disgrace! My son — (Fred checks her; 
then to Mrs. S. D. quietly) 

Fred. No! . . . (then toMn^. S.B.) This 
summons is not a disgrace to either me or my mother. 
(then to Bilser) Is this the amount due you for 
all these claims? 

Bilser. More than enough, Mr. Ossian. There 
is a balance for you. 

Fred. (r. c. Tears the summons and the papers 
to fragments, and lets the hits slowly fall from his 
fingers as he speaks) Madame — the debts . . . 
are paid. 
(Mrs. S. D. turns to Miriam, who waves her hand 

as though not wishing to speak to her; turns and 

sinks on the sofa with a soh; face in hands.) 

CURTAIN. 



ACT III 

Scene. — Greenes house near Lenox, Mass. a. — 
the house, with veranda, and steps (s.) Rustic 
table L. c, u'itJi two roching chairs; large tree, 
with seat. Up r., a Venetian bridge, over the 
brook li'hich runs tlience to the lake (Stockbridge 
Bowl), about lialf a mile away. The place is near 
the Lenox end of the lake, and looking towards 
Eagle Lake and Stockbridge; Field Hill showing 
just to tlie right; Stockbridge c, and the hills 
about Eagle Lake l. A photograph taken from 
the old Ilaw'thorne place and looking straight down 
the lake, ivill shoiv the scene exactly.^ 

(Enter Grkkn r., over the bridge; wears a loose fit- 
ting fall suit and the same straiu hat seen in Act 
I. Carries a number of letters, and sorts them as 
he comes on.) 

Green, (entering quickly. Brisk scene) Cod- 
dle! Coddle! — (enter Coddle from house l.) — 
That bo/11 miss his train! — Coddle! — (sees him) 
Is Barry's trunk ready? 

Coddle, (l. c.) Yes, sir. Chawles started with 
it for the stytion, ten minutes ago, sir, hand then 
'e's goink for Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, sir. 

Green, (r. c.) All right. Tell Ban-y he's only 
got twenty minutes — (Coddle going back into the 
house) — no, — go out and tell James to hitch up the 
buckboard, — (watch) — train leaves at four-forty. 
Tell him to hurry. 

Coddle. Yes, sir. (going r., Green comes down 

to c.) 

76 



THE BUTTEE FLIES 77 

Green, (l. c.) And — let's see — hold on, Cod- 
dle! — (looks at time-table hurriedly) ^YouT-tortj, 
— no, that's the down train, — four-forty-two, — that's 
it! (beclcons to Coddle to come closer; aside) 
Mustn't let her know! — (with a glance towards the 
house) — tell James, (loiver voice) to wait for the 
four-forty-two from New York. Mr. Frederick Os- 
sian is coming up. {malces a gesture of silence, 
glancing toiuards the house) Understand? Hurry! 

Coddle. Four-forty-two, — yes, sir. {going lei- 
surely to bridge) 

Green. Step out ! — just like they was openin' 
beer in the barn ! 

Coddle. Yes, sir! (quiclcens his pace; exit over 
bridge) 

Green. I'll pour a quart of oil down him some 
day, and limber him up! — (looks after him. Calls,, 
looking up to second story window) Barry! — only 
ten minutes, my boy ! 

Barry, (within,, sullenly) Very well. 

Green, (sigh) I hate to send him over the sea. 
(shakes his head sadly) — But it'll make a man of 
him — if anythin' will. Ah me ! (sits r., of table, 
looks over the letter he was reading when he came 
on) — Derned if Frederick isn't doin' wonderful! — 
(reads) " And I am free to confess that the in- 
crease in our bond and mortgage business has been 
almost entirely due to his industry and good judg- 
ment. Besides he has induced many of his personal 
friends — some of them large operators, to transfer 
their accounts to us. Very truly, David Van Brunt, 
Cashier." Good! I didn't think he had it in him. 
(glancing at letter again) Only seven months in the 
bank, and already earning a promotion. Dern me ! 
. . . How glad it'll make his mother! (cheer- 
fully rubbing his hands) . . . Yes ! . . . 
(then becomes suddenly grave) — But his good for- 
tune'll take her out of my life, (sigh) Yes, she'll 
be goin' soon, (lapses into reverie) 



78 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Suzanne. (in house) Papa! — papa! — 
Papa-a/ {staccato) 

Green. {same tone) Ye-es. . . . {then 
again in reverie) . . . Yes, — Susan'll be all I 
have left, to keep a little sunshine in the house. All 
the rest is goin' fast, {reverie) 

Suzanne, {enters from the house; gloves and 
parasol in one hand; hat in the other) Papa ! — 
are you there ? 

Green, {seated r., of table l. c.) No, chickie, 
— I'm here {pulls himself together), and I'm busy. 
(opening second letter) 

Suzanne. (c. Chin up, and severely) You 
are? (goes to steps and comes down during the 
following) 

Green, (reading the letter) " The new Board 
of Directors " — m-m — Is Barry ready ? 

Suzanne. Oh, 3^es, — hold these — (putting gloves 
in his hand) and this — (parasol, x. to hack of 
table) — but he's cross as a tomcat because you made 
him enlist in the navy, (starts to put her hat on the 
table, hesitates, tries the tahle for dust) 0, dear! 
It's all dust! Here! — (puts hat on him) 

Green. Am I a hat rack? 

Suzanne, (x. c. Nods) You are anything I 
want you to be. (feels her dress) What is the mat- 
ter? (turning around) 

Green, (examining tvith a puzzled air) Blest 
if I know. Perhaps the — the — what — chemay 
callem oughter be cut more biaser — You dressed in 
a hurry. 

Suzanne, (still fussing with the dress) Mr. 
Strong telephoned over from Lenox that he was 
going to ride over, and — 0, dear ! Eat too much 
luncheon! (giving it a tug) — he ought to be here 
now. 

Green. Yes. He's going away to-morrow, to be 
gone some time, and there's lots of business — 



THE BUTTERFLIES 79 

Suzanne, (severely) You won't see him a min- 
ute, till I've finished with him. — That's better ! — 
I've got business for you, too. (during the follow- 
ing, puts on gloves, and then hat) 

Green, (still at table) About Barry? Well, 
he'll have to grin and bear it. I've tried every other 
way, and now I'll see what salt water'll do to season 
him up. 

Suzanne. It isn't about Barry, (talcing one 
glove and putting it on) Why is Mrs. Ossian going 
away? 

Green, (aside; dismally) I knew it! . . . 
(then to her) 'Tain't my fault! If she's goin'. 
She told me yesterday that though she hated to part 
with you — (slight pause) 

Suzanne. With me, and (goes to hack of table 
get hat or gloves. Slight pause) — with me, AN"D — 

Green. (Shalces his head) There wasn't any 
and, chickie, — just you. (Suzanne smiles super- 
ciliously) 

Suzanne. Well — ? 

Green. Well — then she said as how Frederick 
— now that he's given up all his clubs but one, and 
never goes to that — he's kinder lonesome . , . 
too. . . . 

Suzanne. (moving towards Green. Eyeing 
him) I'd miss Mrs. Ossian aiv fully, if she went 
away, (he nods, sighs, face averted) I couldn't be 
lonesome, if she was around, (peeping around slyly 
to see his face) 

Green, (sigh) No, — nobody could be lonesome 
with . . . her. 

Suzanne. (l. c. Lofty sarcasm) Oh! you 
found out that, did you?, . . all by yourself? 
Why didn't you take me into your confidence long 
ago? Now you're in trouble, and I'm glad of it, 
for trying to keep a secret from the only daughter 
you've got in the whole world, (he sighs) But I 



80 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Icnow, just the same! You love Mrs. Ossian — (Jie 
starts) — now dont deny it! — you love her — 
{slightly raising her voice) — and — 

Green, (alarmed) Sh ! (looking towards the 
house) 

Suzanne, (takes second glove, puts it on) Don't 
worry ! — she knows it. 

Green, (rises) Kno — (gulp; she nods) — who 
told her? (she indicates herself, makes him a how) 
You? 

Suzanne, (gravely) You've been dillydallying 
over it for six months, and never had pluck to speak 
up, — so I took a hand in it myself. 

Green, (near table L. c. Nearly paralyzed with 
amazement) You. WHA Tiff 

Suzanne. Wel-1, — I told her you loved her, — 
(Green in collapse) — and that you told me to tell 
her, — there goes a button"! — I'll never get another 
pair at — there goes another ! 0, pickles ! And 
then I told her that 3'ou hoped that she would con- 
sider the matter favorably, and arrange the other de- 
tails at her earliest convenience. (Green helplessly 
staring at her) And now, ... all you have 
to do is to back up what I said. I've broken the ice 
for you. (takes her hat, is putting it on during the 
folloiving) 

Green. What — what did she say? 

Suzanne. I won't tell yon. I want you to have 
some fun. Go up and ask her. (takes his hand, 
pidling him up) Come ! 

Green, (l. c. Gets up with reluctance) Wha — 
what could I say to her ? 

Suzanne, (l. c.) 0, — don't say anything. 
Just sort of look at her, — and then — she'll sort of 
look at you, — and then — it'll come out all right, 
somehow. Hurry! (urging him towards stairs) 

Green. You've got your father in a nice mess, 
haven't you? 



THE BUTTERFLIES 81 

Suzanne. (nods) You're clean compromised. 
But now you'll have company when I'm away, (look- 
ing off R.) 

Green, (up to 'stairs) When you're away? — 
Where are you going ? 

Suzanne, (going r., shades her eyes with her 
hand; looking off) Wherever he goes. 

Green. He? — who? . . . 

Suzanne, (calmly) Mr. Strong. 

Green, (comes down l. c.) Strong? Is he in 
love with you? 

Suzanne. M — hm ! 

Green, (increased amazement) Has he told you 
so? 

Suzanne, (comes down r. c. Comes hack to 
him) ISTo-o, but he's been trying to for the last six 
months, but just as he's got to sort of stuttering 
around the point — he's just as big a goose about 
such things as you are — why, I'd sort of look as 
though I didn't know what he was driving at, and 
then he'd get sort of scared, and put it off till next 
time, (sigh) I've had lots of fun with Andrew. 

Green. But you're not engaged to him yet ? 

Suzanne. (x. down r. Coolly) No-o! But 
that's a mere formality. I will be to-day. 

Green, (amazed) To-day? 

Suzanne. He telephoned over to know if I 
wouldn't go to walk with him, and that means he's 
going to have another try, and I guess I'll just gently 
let matters drift to a focus.^ 

Green. (c. Amazed) Well, I'm jiggered! 
Strong in love with YOU ! 

Suzanne, (going to him) M — hm! — you see, 
papa, — (patting his cheeks with both hands) you are 
one of these dear old reliables — the best, sweetest, 
old reliable in the world — (standing on tiptoe, bend- 
ing his face down, and kissing him) — but — (giving 
him a little cuff) Youre not up-to-date. (Green 
6 



82 THE BUTTERFLIES 

up L. c. loolcs off R. Turns, starts) — Oh! — here 
comes Mrs. Stuart-Dodge and Miriam in the Vic- 
toria — hurry ! — (pushing him L.) 

Green, {hewildered) But what can I say — 
{sound of wheels R., then a voice. '' Whoa," ivheels 
stop) 

Suzanne. Say anything — only hurry, or Mrs. 
Stuart-Dodge'll see you — {looks r.) — too late! — 
she saw you ! 0, dear ! (stamps, then waves her 
hand r., in greeting) — How do! — {then, hurriedly 
to Green) You'll have to stay now, but I'll get 
you away in a minute! {then speaking r., and rais' 
ing her voice. You're just in time ! {runs R., and 
over the bridge. Green glances helplessly towards 
the house; then goes r.) 

Green. Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, ma'am, — delighted I 
(enter Mrs. Stuart-Dodge driving costume and 
parasol, over bridge; he goes forward to help her. 
Go L. c. Green l., of her) And Miriam, (enter 
Miriam over bridge, holding Suzanne's hand; 
Miriam carries a notecase of fine leather; with her 
name " Miriam " upon it in silver scnpt) prettier'n 
ever ! Suzanne ma'am won't have a broad bridge. 
So we can drive up to the house, — says it's more 
romanticer to live on an island. 

Miriam, (down r. c.) So it is, — like Venice. 
Have you ever seen Venice ? 

Suzanne, (r., well down by tree) N-n ! — 
Guess I'll go there on my wedding trip. 

Miriam. Your — (Suzanne nods) — then you've 
settled it? (Delighted; Green and Mrs. S. D., go 
L. c, chatting) 

Suzanne, (nods) I have, — (they come down r. 
c.) — and he'll fall in line to-day. (cross to r. c.) 

Miriam. And — (ivith a cautious glance towards 
Mrs. S. D.) did you — (ivhispers her; Suzanne nods; 
whispers Miriam, who starts delightedly) To-day? 
(Suzanne nods) Oh! (embraces her) How did 



THE BUTTERFLIES 83 

you arrange it? {hoth in front of tree. Green and 
Mrs. S. D. up l.) 

Suzanne, (glibly) Well, when you wrote that 
you were coming over this afternoon, I just tele- 
phoned down to the office that papa wanted to see 
Frederick at once, on most important business, and 
for him to take the twelve-thirty, without fail. 
(Miriam gives her another hug) And then Fred- 
erick telephoned back to say that he hadn't better 
come up till after three, because the market was very 
unsteady, and the office was awfully busy, — so I told 
him to hold the wire, and then I called out " Papa " 
— just as if papa was in the room — then I waited 
a moment, and then I walked over so — (heavy stride 
up and down) and then I jerked the phone open and 
said — (imitating Green's gruff tone) "Young 
man ! you come up on that twelve-thirty train, and 
let the office go to the devil ! " (BOTH laugh) And 
I didn't tell papa till after Fred's train had left 
(then forgetting and raising her voice) He'll be 
here! (Mrs. S. D. hears and turns) 

Miriam, (hugging her) You darling! 

Mrs. S. D. (l. c. up stage. Green c, up stage. 
Suspiciously) Who is coming, dear? (loth girls 
start) 

Suzanne, (x. to r. c. Miriam r. QuicHy) 
Mr. .Strong. He's coming over from Lenox, and 
we're going walking after Barry's train goes. (Mrs. 
S. D. nods, satisfied, then turns to Green; hoth gwls 
draw long breaths) 

Mrs. S. D. (l. c.) So you have decided to send 
Barrington to sea? He'll look very handsome in 
his midshipman's uniform, (enter Barry from the 
house; uniform of U. S. sailor; on his cap is '' TJ. S. 
8. New Yorlt," upon the usual ribbon, in letters of 
gold. ' About his nech is the white cord lanyard. 
He starts upon seeing Mrs. S. D. and is about to go 
back into the house; when Green speaks) Why is 



84 THE BUTTERFLIES 

he in uniform now! (x. l. Both girls on settee 
tree) 

Green, {rising, going c.) Yes. You see I was 
afraid if he had any other clothes, he might change 
his mind. Xo, no, my boy — come on ! — Nothing 
to be ashamed of. (brings Barry dowii c.) 

Mrs. S. D. (down l.) 'No, indeed, — how very 
charming it is ! — but that is not a midshipman's 
uniform ! 

Barry. (c. Sullenly) Midshipman! (turns 
away to hide tears) Fourteen dollars a month, and 
I've got to wear this pie. 

Green, (r. c.) Yes, and it'll make a man of 
you. Brace up! — (patting him on the shoulder) 
You're goin^ to se6 the world, and get paid for doin' 
it. Avast there! (hitches up his trousers) Leggo 
the'r'yle top stunsels! — take a reef in the stabbord 
doldrums ! There are blows ! — slam bang ! you son 
of a sea cook ! what ARE you doin' on the britch of 
that GUN ! Cheer up, my hearty ! ( claps him on 
the shoulder) There's Miriam, my boy ! — Say good- 
bye — (ivatch) You've only got five minutes, and if 
you overstay your pass, they'll sock you for ten days 
on bread and water in Davy Jones's locker. 

Barey. (half crying) I don't care how soon I 
go to — you'll be sorry some day! (goes r. c. 
Miriam rises to greet hhn. Suzanne up and to his 
L., doivn step) 

Miriam. Barrington (giving him her hand) — 
I am sorry you are going away, (both girls chat 
with him, admiring his uniform. Miriam takes off 
her hat and puts on his cap during the following; 
Suzanne puts on the lanyard) 

Mrs. S. D. (l.) Mr. Green! — surely! — 

Green, (c.) Yes, — (sigh) — I've made up my 
mind that three years at sea will do him good. 

Mrs. S. D. (amazed) But you don't tell me that 
Barrington is actually going before the mast? 

Green, {half sadly) No, — he and the mast are 



THE BUTTERFLIES 85 

going about the same time, (re-enter Coddle from 
house, with pea-jacket and small handbag) And 
he^ll have nothing to drink for three years. 

Mrs. S. D. (l.) Nothing to drink? 

Green". Nothin' but soft hydraulics. 

Coddle. Jymes is here with the buckboard, sir. 
(up stage c.) 

Green, (l. c. BrisMy) 11 right. Barry! — 
(ivatch) — just time to catch your train, my boy. 
(Coddle exit over bridge, tvith hag) 

Suzanne. Be a good boy, Barry! I hope you 
won't be very seasick! (puts lanyard on him; kisses 
him; then comes L. c, wipes a tear from her eye; 
while he and Miriam have a word) — and write us 
whenever you can ! I hate to have him go ! (puts 
her face on Green's shoulder) 

Green, (l. c. well over l.) So do I, Chickie, — 
so do I. But his ship'll be back and forth all the 
time. We'll see him again in a couple of months. 
Cheer up. 

Miriam, (r. Aside to Barry; low voice)^ It is 
better so. Forget that it ever happened. 

Green. (Xes c.) Come, my son! 

Barry. Yes! (then to Miriam) All right. 
I'll try to forget, but — I — (pulls himself together) 
— all right, father. I'm ready. 

Green", (c. Takes him in his arms) That's 
right] — go with a brave heart. Three years will 
soon pass and then — good-bye, my son. The New 
York's the pride of the whole navy, and she's a flyer, 
■ — but you can't go so fast on her, nor so far, but my 
heart will follow you. God bless you. (turns aside 
to hide his emotion. Up c. then down R. c) 

Mrs. S. D. (l. c. Barry Xes to her) Good- 
bye, (he takes her hand silently, then turns to 
Green who has come up r. c.) 

Barry. (c.) Father, you — you are right. I 
haven't been a good son, but — I'll try to be a man, 
now, and when I come back — (a glance towards 



§6 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Miriam, x. r. c. Green gives way for him up at 
bridge) 

Green. (l. c. Takes his hand) When you 
come back, I'll give you the MOON if you want it! 
(then cheerily) Now, Miriam and Susan'll see you 
to the buckboard. Off with you! (clapping him on 
the shoulder, and giving him a good-humored push) 
Go earn your plum horse and salt-duff. 

Mrs. S. D. Good-bye. 

Barry. {cheerfully) Good-bye! (ivaves his 
hand to them; then to Miriam) Let's race to the 
buckboard ! 

Mit^iam. All right ! (runs off; exit) 

Barry. I'll catch you ! (runs after her; exit) 

Suzanne. .Run ! — Miriam — run ! 
(Exit R., laughter off n., getting fainter. Green and 
Mrs. S. D. watching.) 

Green, (up stage c.) He can't catch her! — 
She runs like an antelope ! — by gum ! — she got 
there first ! 

Green. God bless you, my boy. Oh, Barry, don't 
be too familiar with the Admiral. Don't dine with 
him more than once or twice a week. Discipline'll 
do him good, (then raising his voice) Good-bye! 
(they come doivn a little) 

Barry. I won't 

Mrs. S. D. (goes r. Sigh) I was so anxious to 
have that engagement renewed for his sake. You 
see, with prospects such as his, — there are so many 
mercenary persons in the world — (sigh. Sit) 

Green. Better as it is. (x. l. c. Looks toward 
house; sigh; then aside) I wish she'd come out. 
(Mrs. S. D. glances R., then starts to speak, then 
hesitates) But I'll ask her. (sudden hurst of cour- 
age) Yes! — I'll — (tveakens) . . . no — the 
late lamented — 

Mrs. S. D. (c. Hesitatingly) Mr. Green, I — 

Green, (still looking l.) If Susan told her that, 
I- \ 



THE BUTTERFLIES 87 

Mrs. S. D. There is something which has — 

Green, (still musing) — Made me feel like per- 
fect dern fool — I — (then sees Mrs. S. D.) I heg 
your pardon, ma^am, — you were saying — 

Mrs. S. D. (hesitating) Yes, — I — I have only 
just discovered, Mr. Green, — the — the — great 
kindness you did me the day we arrived at San 
Augustine — (he looks puzzled) — and — 

Green. Great kindness — ? 

Mrs. S. D. It was not until last week, when I 
wrote to — to Madame Cretonne, and sent her some- 
thing on account — that — that I knew the bill had 
already been paid, (opens her note-case) 

Green. (more puzzled) Bill? — paid? — (she 
gives him a cheque, folded; he opens it; reads) 
" Garfield Bank, pay to order of Hiram Green 
twenty-eight hundred and thirty-four dollars'^ — (she 
nods and presses it into his hand) 

Mrs. S. D. It was very thoughtful — very deli- 
cate of you — but — 

Green, (shakes his head) You don't owe me 
anything — somebody else. 

Mrs. S. D. (Suzanne and Miriam sing outside) 
Please ! — I know that it Was you, — Madame Cre- 
tonne said that it was paid on March 16th, and that 
was the day we got to Sa?i Augustine — it was that 
night that Miriam's engagement was broken. You 
knew why that Mr. Bilser had come to Florida, and 
you paid it — to save Miriam and me mortification. 

Green. Bilser ? I paid him nothing. I thought 
he came to bother Fred. — Why, — Fred gave him a 
cheque — (looks at her; the thought groivs in her 
face) 

Mrs. S. D. (agitated) No! — (pause ; horrified) 
— you . . . you don't think . . . it . . . 
it was — (he nods) — he! — (he nods; she turns, 
overcome, and buries her face in her hands) 

Green, (after a brief pause) I reckon that'e 
iust what he did, — and it's just like him. 



88 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Mrs. S. D. But after the cruel way I treated him 

— I could die of shame ! 

Green, {genthj) That's all right, — donH worry 

— I reckon he did it, but — can't you guess why ? 
Mrs. S. D. I suppose because — because — {looh' 

ing R.) 

Green, {nodding r.) That's just it — and she's 
worth doin' it for. 

(Miriam and Suzanne laugli off r., then come on 
the bridge.) 

Miriam, {aside to Suzanne, as they come on, 
arms about each other) Now that he is coming, and 
I know that I shall see him, — I am the happiest girl 
in the whole world! 

Suzanne. Me too! {^Iiriam looks at her) An- 
drew! {they come down a little) 

Mrs. S. D. {giving Green both hands) I will 
trust you. Explain to him, and — {giving him the 
cheque) give him this, the moment he arrives. 

Green, {glancing at Miriam, and drily) No, — 
not the moment he arrives. He has business far 
more important. Come in and meet his mother. 
(x. L. c.) You'll like her. {they go up L. c, a 
little, conferring) 

Miriam, {at bench tree r. c.) Do I mind Fred- 
erick's being poor? {fervently) I could live with 
him on nothing a year ! — j^es, even in Jersey. 

Suzanne. {ruefully) Andrew is richer than 
papa. I wish he was as poor as a bullfrog. 

Green. I am sure she knows nothing of it. 

Miriam, {looks suddenly r., and starts) Oh! 
he's coming! That's Frederick in the top buggy. 
{gets up; leave her card-case on the bench) 

Suzanne. So it is ! — hide ! — get behind the 
tree! 

Miriam. Get mama away ! {goes quickly l., of 
the tree, peeping r., makes a sign to Suzanne to get 
Mrs. S. T). away) 



THE BUTTERFLIES SQ 

Suzanne, (round r. of tree and up c. Inno^ 
cently) Papa ! — '■ you've business in the house. 

Green, {starts) Eh? (Mrs. S. D., in deep 
thought, facing l., Suzanne calls his attention to 
Frederick's coming, and both girls make furious 
gestures for him to take Mrs. S. D. away) Oh, yes! 
(then to Mrs. S. D.) Come, ma'am, — let us go and 
see her. (up steps) 

Mrs. S. D. J^sigh) Yes. {they go up the steps. 
On steps) Miriam, dear. I — I have some business 
to talk over. You don't mind staying here, do you? 

Miriam. No, mama, — not if you must go. 
(Suzanne claps her hand over her mouth to keep 
from laughting.) 

Green, {on veranda) You'll love Mrs. Ossian. 
She wouldn^t mortify you for the world. 

Mrs. S. D. (sigh) I have done wrong — very 
wrong. {Xes Green. Exit into house) 

Suzanne, (c. Lower voice, just as Green is 
about to enter the house) — Papa ! — {he turns) don't 
forget what I told her. 

Green, {at the house. Staggers) Oh, Lord! 
I forgot that. 

Suzanne, {demurely) You're already compro- 
mised, remember. 

Green. I'll have to talk to Mrs. Ossian first, 
alone. I'll put Mrs. Stuart-Dodge in the conserva- 
tory. 

{Exit, sound of wheels off r.) 

Miriam, {who has been cautiously looking around 
the tree, draivs her head back) He's come. Don't 
tell him I'm here ! {a voice off r.) 

Voice. Whoa ! 

Miriam. Tell him — {whispers her) 

Suzanne, {delighted) Ooh! Yes! Such fun! 

Frederick, {off r., scene very brisk from here to 
exit of Strong and Suzanne) Keep the change. 
you needn't come back for me. All right. 



90 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Miriam, (rapturously) Now I have him. (goes 
to R., of tree as Fred goes c.) 

Fred, (enters over bridge, coming in front of 
tree; quickly. He is in a business suit; carries a 
small satchel; Miriam nudges Suzanne to go out 
and meet him) Not a very exciting welcome! 
(Sees Suzanne, comes r. c. from behind tree, as 
she goes out in front of the tree) — but — hello! — 
how do! — (shakes hands with her a^he comes down; 
speaking rapidly) — where's 3^our father? — in the 
house — (she catches his arm) 

Suzanne. N-n! You mustn't go in! (gets in 
front of him, and Miriam to avoid being seen dodges 
half around the tree) 

Fred. But I must ! He sent for me. Important 
business. Can't fool away time with you now — 
(She draws herself up. l. c.) — don't pout! — he 
sent for me, I tell you, and I must go in. (going l., 
of the tree, and thereby chasing Miriam to r., of it; 
business also for Suzanne) I'll see you later. 

Suzanne, (c. r. Warning tone) Very well! — 
only don't blame me if he gets mad. That's all. I 
tell you he's engaged — (Frederick starts l., again, 
she stops him and Xes r. c) — , or getting himself 
engaged. You hadn't better go in. I'll tell him 
you're here. I — I — (glances around tree, ner- 
vously X. L.) 

Fred. Why are you so nervous? What — (c. 
Glancing up stage and about to go up, when she 
quickly interrupts) 

Suzanne, (x. l. c, up towards house) Nothing, 
I — I'll go and tell papa. 

Fred, (as she crosses him to steps) All right. 
Thanks. You're real good, if you are little. 

Suzanne, (bridling) Ami? (aside) I'll pay 
him for that ! — (stops two steps up) By the way — 
(indifferently) have you heard the news? — Miriam 
Stuart-Dodge is going to be married, (he gives a 
tremendous start; drops bag) 



THE BUTTERFLIES 91 

Fred, (a little l. of c.) Mir — going to — to 
whom ? . . . Your brother ? — 

Suzanne, (calmly, continuing on her way up) 
Nah ! — that was broken off long ago. She's going 
to marry somebody she's been in love with for a long 
time. 

Fred. (aghast) Somebody she — hold on ! — 
wait a minute ! 

Suzanne, (chin up, business air) No, — can't 
fool away time now. Must see what papa's doing. 
(Exit L. 3 to house.) 

Fred. (c. Crushed) Going to marry — been 
in love a long time ! . . . After all my endeavor 
and cruel waiting, — this ! 

Miriam, (peeping around the tree, r., of tree) 
I cannot see him suffer ! — I — 

Strong, (off r.) Steady, old girl! — (Miriam 
starts) — steady! 

Miriam, (looks r.) Old girl ! (indignant, then 
looks R.) — Oh, Mr. Strong was speaking to his 
horse. (relieved) Oh, dear ! He'll spoil every- 
thing ! (glances nervously r., till Frederick speaks) 

Fred. Marry the man she loves ! — Well ! . . . 
(pulls himself together-) Good-bye, rainbows ! Fll 
fall in love ! (desperately) 

Miriam, (bridling) Will you? 

Fred, (savagely) I'll break some girl's heart 
first, and then marry her ! 

Miriam, (furious) We shall see ! 

Fred, (tragic bitterness) Women are all the 
same. Some of them seem different — that's all ! 
(Enter Strong over the bridge; he is in riding cos- 
tume, with hunting crop.) 

Miriam. Do they! I shall — (Strong sees her) 

Strong, (on bridge) Ah, Miss — (she makes 
him a quick gesture of silence) — I — (she indicates 
Frederick) — ah, dear boy! (she makes signs for 
him not to betray her presence) 



92 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Feed, (heavily) Ah. Strong! Well^, — the blow 
has fallen, — all is over with me. 

Strong, (to Miriam, who has lohispered him) 
Eh ? — quite so ! — ha, ha ! — devilish good ! — cap- 
ital! (she lays her finger on her lip; Frederick 
amazed at him) — quite so! . . . (nods to 
Miriam, crosses to Frederick) Capital! (chuck- 
ling) 

Fred, (to Strong, reproachfully) I don't see 
anything so devilish funny in it! I've lost her, — 
forever ! She's going to marry I 

Strong, (front of tree r. c.) Is she?- — marry 
whom, dear boy? 

(Enter Suzanne, stands on steps of house l. 3. 
Miriam behind tree r.) 

Fred. (l. c.) I don't know, — some infernal 
idiot! (Strong laughs in spite of himself) I'll 
bet she don't love him, — I'll bet somebody picked 
him out for her. Don't laugh! (lashes himself 
into a temper) I'll bet he's a fool! (goes up 
stage) I'll bet any set of people on earth could make 
a monkey out of him. (turns) DON'T LAUGH! 
I tell you, after all I've suffered, — I — (then coming 
down, furious) I want to see him ! — that's all — 
He's an ASS — (Suzanne laughs) a gibbering, be- 
wildering, blatant, Bloomingdale ass! — I want to 
look him in the eye ! I'll bet he hasn't human intel- 
ligence — (Suzanne comes down l. Sees Suzanne, 
checks himself, mops his face) And some people 
don't believe in Darwin! (Suzanne sees Strong, 
catches her breath; then comes doivn, demurely) 
Well? 

Suzanne. He's awful busy. — (Shyly greets 
Strong, who is confused at seeing her) — How do? 

Fred. Are you sure he's busy? (Xes L.) 

Suzanne. — I — I am sorry papa can't see you 
for a little while, (go to Strong) Oh, yes. He's 
— he's — (fishing for an excuse) — he's going to take 
in a partner — 



THE BUTTERFLIES 93 

Fred. A partner? 

SuzANN'E. That's it ! — And they're discussing it 
now. (Xes Strong, going to the tree; peeps around; 
both she and Miriam laugh silently) 

Fred. A partner? (puzzled) — then I know he 
wants me. (coming up again) 

Suzanne, (runs quickly after him) No, no ! — 

Fred. But he'll want me to draw up the articles 
of partnership — 

Suzanne. N-n ! — the preacher'll do that — I 
mean — (hursts out laughing, so does Strong. 
Strong goes r. c.) 

Fred, What is the matter ? . . . Am I crazy 
or WHAT ! — let me laugh, too, will you ? 

Suzanne, (checks herself, goes to him) Poor 
Fred ! — never mind ! — I'm sorry you cannot go in 
the house, but really, papa and — and his future 
partner are in the drawing room, and there is some- 
body in the music room you wouldn't care to see 
just now, — and — if you'll wait out here — why — 
I think you'll hear something to your advantage. 
(with difficulty repressing a laugh and* going c, 
again) 

Strong, (r. c.) Yes, old chap — cheer up! 
(going c.) 

Suzanne. N-n! (lowered eyes) Mr. Strong 
and I are — we — he — Oh, you won't be lonely ! 

Strong. No, dear boy, — you won't. 

Fred, (gloomily) All right. Go ! — never mind 
me! . . . Go! (lapses into gloomy reverie; 
looking L.) 

Suzanne. (Xes r. c. r. of Strong. Demurely 
to Strong) Shall we go for that — that walk? 

Strong. (hesitates) Yes! (going r. Looks 
hack at Fred. Stay) Poor chap — he's hard hit! 

Suzanne, (airily) It is his own fault! (then, 
as they get to the bridge) 

Strong. Extraordinary ! — how ? 

Suzanne, (looks at him, then d-^-ops her eyelids) 



94 THE BUTTERFLIES 

When a man is in love, he should never despair. 
(holes at him; lowers her eyes, exit r.) 

Strong. (delighted, heivildered) By Jove! — 
I wonder — no, she didn't mean it ! 
(Exit gloomily r. Fred., stands in the same posi- 
tion for a moment.) 

Miriam, (half frightened) He is in such a — 
passion now, that — (Frederick dashes his hand 
down, with an unspoken " damn " ; she starts hack 
affrighted) 

Fred. (pulls himself together) Talk of the 
tribulations and lamentations of Jeremiah ! — I 
could give Jerry cards and spades. It isn't her fault, 

— no — dear heart! — she loved me once! — (com- 
ing slowly to tree; Miriam going gradually behind 
again) I know that she knows I loved her. And 
that's the finish. I — (sees the note-case, picks it 
up) Ah, — Suzanne has left her pocket-book. 
(sees the name) Miriam! (starts, looks around) 
How came that here ! — can she be — yes ! — Su- 
zanne said there was some one in the music room 
whom I -shouldn't care to see. (sinks slowly into the 
bench, staring l.) Miriam ! — here — and I — (then 
talking to the note-case) So you are here, are you? 

— her pocket-book. You look thin — like mine has 
been of late, (sigh) 

Miriam, (r., of and hack of tree) He needn't 
be so brutally frank ! 

Fred. You caused all the trouble between us. 
No — I retract that — it was the lack of something 
you ought to hold, and which I ought to hold — but 
I don't, and you don't. Money ! . . . money ! 

— I tell you, — it is a God ! — we men and women 
effect to despise it, but we don't. — We grovel to the 
golden calf to-day, just as low as. they did four thou- 
sand years ago, and the man that hasn't the blessing 
of it, is best out of the world. You know that, 
don't you ? — and I know it ! — and the poorest of 
the God-forsaken poor^ is the swell who is bagged at 



THE BUTTERFLIES 95 

the knees, (sighs) Yes, I love Miriam — your 
mistress — ami she — she loved me once — and love 
is in the market, like the beeves in Chicago and the 
pigs in Cincinnati, — and we go to the highest bid- 
der. . . . Well! ... it is over! — But 
were you filled, and filled again, a thousand times 
and yet a thousand — I would give it all for that 
which you have had without the asking, — the touch 
of her fingers, (rise. Miriam much moved) I am 
going to keep you.' Yes,— it may be petty larceny, 

— I'll send back the vile money you have,_ if you 
have any, — but you are to be mine — (kisses it, 
rises) mine — forever. Last time I tried to steal a 
souvenir of her, I got caught, but this time I'd like 
to see — (about to put it in his breast pochet) 

Miriam, (r. Breaking from her self-control) 
Mr. Ossian! — (he starts, drops the note-case; turns; 
lows; she stands confused, face averted; an awkward 

Tjausc) 

Fred. (r. C. Starts to speak; hesitates; again 
tries; then stoops and picks up the note-case, and 
then, blunderingly) Miss — Miss Stuart-Dodge, I 

— I found this — this bit of — of your property, and 
no doubt it is of great value to you, but — 

Miriam, (dismally) It only has in it two ele- 
vated railroad tickets, and — and — and a glove but- 
toner,— and — a sample of some trimming, but — 
(another pause) 
Pj^ed. I — I ought to return it, and — here it is 

— (extending it reluctantly) 

Miriam. Oh, no — you may keep it, — that is all 
but the trimming, and the glove buttoner, and a poem 
cut out of a newspaper — and even that too, if — 
that is — I heard you say just now that you would 
like me — as a sort of — relic — 

Fred. Yes . . . I — I will keep the — the 
whole collection, (puts it in his pocket; another 
brief pause; he essays to speak again, then suddenly) 
Good-bye! (go l. c.) 



96 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Miriam. Good . . . bye ! — you are — why 
do you — 

Fred, {slowly. Despairingly) Don't you . . . 
know . . . why ... I say . . . good- 

Miriam, (half timidly; half reproacJi) No, I 
do not see — just because you have my — my — ele- 
vated road tickets and — and that trimming and 
things, that — that you should say good-bye. 

Fred. (c. Passionately) I have heard of your 
coming marriage, — and — and your mother — 

Miriam, (crosses up l.) My mother — Oh! — 
(sudden start; looking L., alarmed) 

Fred. Is she there? (x. r. c.) 

Miriam. I — I am afraid she is somewhere there. 
But I don't care ! 

Fred, (bitterly) Surely, she cannot object to 
my saying good-bye to you, forever. 

Miriam, (l. c.) No, — and I'm not in the least 
afraid. 

Fred. (r. c. Edging a little toivards the tree) 
Not — nor am I. (assumed bravado) 

Miriam, (edging also toward the tree, but look- 
ing L.) No, but — but if you are going to say good- 
bye forever, — don't you think we — that is you — 
if you went to the other side of the tree, you . . . 
might take longer to say it? 

Fred, (r.) As you wish it, I — (goes to the 
other side of the tree, r., of tree) — I will — will 
do as you wish, (she moves slowly to the .bench, and 
siiiks into it; L., of tree. Another awkward pause) 

Miriam. Well — ? 

Fred, (apologetically) I — I cannot leave j^ou 
at once, — because Mr. Green — sent for me — and 
he is — he is busy. 

Miriam, (also apologetic) And mama told me 
to stay out here till — till she came back, so — I 
can't leave either, (another pause) 

Fred, (nerved up to it) I — I suppose I should 



THE BUTTERFLIES 97 

congratulate you upon your coming marriage, but — 
I will not play the hypocrite. I — I don't know who 
he is, but I hate him. 
{Scene a^escendo from here. And Fred, can take 

stage as soon as lie ivishes so he is c, tuhen Green 

comes on.) 

Miriam, {catches her hreath) You hate him? 

Feed, {arms folded, prepared for the worst) 
Yes ! I do ! 

Miriam, {downcast eyes) Well, I — I am afraid 
he deserves it. {he starts, then, fidl of apprehen- 
sion) 

Fred. What has he done? 

Miriam. He — he — I — I thought I was going 
to marry him, but — 

Fred. {hreathless) Yes — yes — go on ! — are 
you not ? — 

Miriam. He — it seems to me now that — that 
he is trying to — to find an excuse for saying good- 
bye. 

Fred. The villain! 

Miriam. I thought he loved me, — 

Fred. And you — you loved him? — {she hows 
her head; he recoils) 3^ou — 

]\IiRiAM. {timidly yet fervently) With all my 
heart. 

Fred. You . . . love . . . him ! — 
{JjrealvS into hysterical laughter) the way of the 
Avorld! — {flings out his arms despairitigly, looking 
upwards) what one man throws away, — the other 
would give his life for ! — the way of the world ! 
. . . {she looks at him, hardly ahle to conceal 
her delight) The scoundrel's name — tell me his 
name, {fiercely) 

Miriam, {frigh tened) No — no ! — {shrinking) 

Fred, {tragically) Yes! — 

Miriam, {nervous haste) But I — he isn't to 
blame — I — I never told him I loved him — {he 
starts hack) 
7 



98 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Fred, (aghast) Never told him ! — 

Miriam. (quicJily) But he might have guessed 
it — 

Fred, (amazed) But you said you were en- 
gaged to him ! — 

Miriam. No, — I said I — I hoped to be, but — 
but mama quarrelled with him — and you know how 
mama could quarrel. 

Fred. (ivith enthusiasm) Mama? — I should 
say I do know mummer can quarrel ! 

Miriam. Well—? 

Fred. Go on ! — 

Miriam. I thought you were going to say some- 
thing. 

Fred, (hitterhj) I? — what should I say? — 
what right have I to say anything? 

Miriam. I — I don't know, but — please say it ! 

Fred, (rapidly in a hurst of passion during which 
she leans forward tvith clasped hands, delightedly 
echoing his ivords under her breath) Yes! — I will 
speak ! / love you, — I loved you the instant you 
came into my life, — I worshipped you — there was 
nothing else — past, present — future — but you — 
you ! — Before the sun dropped on that dear day I 
first saw you, I knew that I loved — and yet only 
once had I looked into your eyes, — only once had the 
music of your voice thrilled me — only once — but 
no! — (passionate despair) — no — I will not tell 
you ! — 

Miriam, (eagerly) Yes — please go on — don't 
stop! 

Fred. Next day — when you went into the surf 
with that — that emaciated chimpanzee with the polo 
cap and the brindle jersey — 

Miriam. That was my cousin — 

Fred. Then he ivasnt a chimpanzee — but 
— that day — when you sank, and I — I brought 
you out — 

Miriam. Upside down — ■ 



THE BUTTERFLIES 99 

Fred. (recldessly) Yes! — UPSIDE DOWN! 

— but I couldn't lieli^ it! If I had known before- 
hand, I would have put on evening clothes and pearl 
kids, and brought vou out in a brougham, — but it 
was an IMPEOMPTU ! 

Miriam. Yes — go on ! — 

Fred. That's all, — good-bye ! — {starts up stage) 
Miriam. {quicldy, stretching out her hand) 
No,— 

Fred. ( turns) Why ? 

Miriam. Why, — because — because — 

Fred, {breathless with sudden hope) — because 

— Miriam! — I mean — {smites his hand sharply in 
despair) — pardon me — Miss Stuart-Dodge — I — 
{averts his face) 

Miriam. But I don't mind it ! — you may, if — 
if you choose — call me by my first name, — F — 
Frederick, {he nearly faints) 

Fred, {gasp) Fuf — Frederick! — {lool's at her, 
hands outstretched; scarcely daring to believe his 
ears) — Miriam, you — you — {pause, her face 
averted and bowed) — tell me — ! you — (Green 
suddenly bursts out of the door, hair on end, ivild 
with delight) 

Green. Hooray ! — I've got her ! — she's mine ! 

— {coming doivn L. c.) — Fred, — she says yes if you 
will — • 

Fred, {wild) Go away ! — 

Green. But — 

Fred, {going to c.) I won't hear it! — go 
back ! — 

Green. But I want to tell you and Miriam — 

Fred, {urging him back) We don't want to 
hear it — 

Miriam. No ! — 

Green. But if you'll only let me — 

Fred, {frenziedly) Go BACK ! — If you don't, 
I'll resign ! — Can't you give me ten minutes vaca- 
tion ! 



100 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Miriam. And keep mother away — 

Feed, {urging him hacl:) Yes — go talk to 
MOTHER! 

Green, {going up stairs again) I will. I'll go 
back and ask my dear Sophia, {turns) but I just — 

Fred, {fiercely) GO ! . . . 

Green. I — I will but — HOOEAY ! {exit into 
house) 

Fred, {coming rapidly had' to her) Is he crazy, 
too ? What is the matter to-day ? — Suzanne is 
crazy — Strong is imbecile, and I am not very sure 
of myself. — {re-enter Green at door) 

Green. Say, Fred, — she — 

Fred, {with a crescendo of fury) Will you GO! 
. . . {exit Green) — I know what Til do! 
{runs up the stairs, opens the door, talces the key 
from hehind, locks the door tcith vicious force, takes 
out the key, comes dotun brandishing it) Now I 
don't think that anybody will come out — for five 
minutes — There! — What were you going to say? 
Tell me — don't stop for details but just tell me — 
you were saying — {coming doivn L., of tree, rapidly) 

— call — call me Frederick again — just once — 
please ! — 

]\[triam. {front of tree. Half frightened, and 
glancing around him at the house) I — I will — 
but — {breathless) I — I know you love me, and — 
but — 

Fred. Yes! {dash of the hand) I know! — I 
am poor! — poor and — {face averted) 

Miriam, {quickly slipping hack heside him) I 

— I didn't mean tliat ! T — meant if — if you are 
that poor — seventy-five dollars a month or so — 

Fred, {groans) No — but I only have a hun- 
dred and fifty — same thing — 

^Miriam. {face averted from him) Then of 
course — we shall . . . we shall have to econo- 
mize at first . . . but — (Fred., rises; looks at 
her in amazement, and hacks a little away during the 



THE BUTTERFLIES 101 

following) — perhaps only a little flat in Harlem, or 

— don't say Hoboken or Brooklyn — but — yes, even 
that — 

Fred, {slow to realize) Economize! — flat in 
Harlem ! — we — see here ! You've been fooling me ! 
You are XOT engaged ! 

Miriam, (feehly) N-no ! 

Fred. And — the orang-outang has no existence — 
you are NOT going to marry — 

Miriam. Not unless I — I — 

Fred. (r. of tree. Suddenly looks at his hands, 
takes a ring off his little finger, reaches over cj_mchly, 
takes her left hand, jams ring on engagement finger) 
When is it to be? {calm tone of auihoriiy, Mrs. 
S. D., seen opening a ivindoiv on the veranda; comes 
out at her cue) Name the day! 

Miriam, {front of tree) Name the day ! — I — • 
how dare you. — {very gentle indignation) ask me so 

— so suddenl}^ when — 

Fred. (x. r.) Suddenly NOTHING! You 
know how I've loved you — you knew it that day at 
Narragansett ! — You may fool other men, but you 
can't fool me ! This thing has been going on a 
whole 3^ear, and you KNOW it! {then lending over 
her, taking her hand; rapidly, passionately) Ah, 
darling — darling! There is nothing can divide us 
now ! — Let all the troubles of the world come, 
nothing can come between us but — 

Mrs. S. D. {pleasantly) Miriam! Ah, there 
you are. {he drops her hand, straightens up against 
the tree; Miriam nearly faints) I have been v^^aiting 
in the conservatory for Mr. Green. Something evi- 
dently has detained him — {coming down) and just 
as I thought, 3^ou are alone, {as she comes l., a?id 
near the foot of the tree, Fred, glides behind it) 
And I have something to tell you. {affably) You 
remember Frederick Ossian? 

Miriam. Y-yes ! 

Mrs. S. D. Why, child — what is the matter ? 



102 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Have 3^ou a chill? {talces her hand) No — your 
hand is warm, and your cheeks are blazing, (touches 
them) Malaria, my dear ! You have a slight touch 
of Lenox malaria. 

Miriam. But Fr — Mr. Ossian? 

Mrs. S. D. Yes. (goes r. of her; Fred, glides 
around r. of the tree) I have a surprise for you. 
I will not tell you why, hut — I have made up my 
mind to allow you to meet him. {saunters up to 
bridge; loo'ks off i\. ivith lorgnon) 

Miriam. But, mama — (Fred, makes her a sign 
to come near him; site shifts to l. side of hencti) 

Mrs. S. D. (calmly) Mr. Green expects him any 
moment. I feel almost certain he will improve on 
acquaintance. (Fred, takes Miriam's face between 
Jiis hands and kisses her; the kiss lasting several 
seconds) In fact, I feel quite confident you will like 
him. (Fred, lifts liis head; still holding Miriam's 
face; then quickly kisses tier again; the door-knob 
rattles again) and I would not be surprised if — 

Miriam, (smothered voice) Ouch! You'll muss 
my hair. (x. c.) 

Mrs. S. D. What did you say? 
(Fred., bold upright as before. Re-enter Green 
from the house.) 

Green, (l. c.) Who the devil — Did you lock 
that door? (^o Fred. Mrs. S. J), astonished, think- 
ing he is speaking to her) I will give you the 
Gi{EAT AMERICAN it— (front of tree. Fred. 
makes him a frantic gesture of .silence; jerking his 
thumb towards Mrs. S. D.) 

^Irs. S. D. (comes down r. to front of tree. 
Outraged dignity, but trying to be calm) Pardon 
me, Mr. Green — I did not lock the door, — I came 
til rough the window, myself, (coming across in 
front of the tree; Fred, dodges behind it) I waited 
for you quite half an hour ! 

Green, (l. Sotto voce) Blest if I didn't forget 
her. 



THE BUTTERFLIES 103 

Mrs. S. D. Why should I lock the cloor? {cross- 
ing to Miriam; Fred. r. of the tree) 

Green, (l. c. Confused) I didn't thmk you 
did. I was speaking to — (x. up c, down r. 
Miriam makes a frantic gesture of silence) 

Mrs. S. D. {astonished, turning) Did you lock 
the door, Miriam? 

Miriam, (c. Astonished and nervous) Why — 
no, mama — 

Green. {hastily) No — she didn't — somebody 
— I — he — Here comes Fred. now. 
(Miriam makes a quick dissenting gesture to stop 

Green; then catches her mothers eye; Green 

goes R. of the tree; Fred, almost collapses; 

Miriam goes to Mrs. S. D. who starts at Fred- 
erick's name and goes down l. c. a little.) 

Mrs. S. D. Frederick ! How very embarrassing 
■ — {c 071 fused) 

Green, (l. of Fred, tuho has been expostulating 
ivith Fred.) It's all right. 

Fred. (r. of tree. Groan) All right! 

Mrs. S. D. (l. c. to Miriam) Let me speak 
a word to him — alone — 

Miriam, (c.) If you are going to be unkind to 
him again — (Miriam sits at tree) 

Mrs. S. D. No, my dear — not unkind. — He is 
coming. 
{Motions Miriam to leave her; half averts her face 

towards l., emhari^assed; Miriam turns to Fred., 

makes a slight despairing gesture; goes to the tree 

and sits, broken-hearted.) 

Green, {holding him up; and urging him) 
Brace up ! I will stand by you ! She's all right ! 
Come along! 

Fred, {holding back) But — 

Green. Nonsense, {pulling him L. c.) Mrs. 
Dodge, ma'am, Stuart-Dodge, I mean — I always 
forget that — May I — Frederick — but you have 
both met before. Shake hands ! 



.04 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Fred, (emharrassed and afraid) I — I — 

Mrs. S. D. (most cordially extending her hand, 
nit nervously) We have seen each other, but — but 
wing to a little misunderstanding — (Green goes to 
Jiriam) 

Fred, (nervously extending his hand towards her; 
Waivs it hack a little, and then takes Iters, much with 
he manner of one touching a hear-trap) A misun- 
[erstanding ? Is that what you call it — I mean — 
lelighted. (gives her hand another shake) I do 
emember. 

Mrs. S. D. (giving his hand an extra grip) I 
i^as sure you would. 

Green, (r. c. Aside to Miriam x. r.) It's all 
ight, now. Whoop ! (shakes her hand) 

Mrs. S. D. I have a secret to tell you. 

Fred. (c. to Mrs. S. D. mystified) A secret 
tell me? 

Mrs. S. D. (l. c. Averting her face, em- 
arrassed) Not exactly a secret — but you must 
now — or Mr. Green can explain — 

Fred. Mr. Green explain? (looks at Green) 
)h yes! 

Green. You know — (laying finger on lip, and 
odding towards Miriam) Yes, you know. 

Fred. Oh, yes, certainly, and I congratulate you. 
going to him and shaking him hy the hand. Mrs. 
>. D. starts and looks at him) 

Green. Congratulate ? 

Fred. Certainly, (then imitates Green's speech 
:hen he entered) I've got her ! She's mine ! Hoo- 
ay ! (then nods towards Mrs. S. D.) Fine woman, 
— I congratulate you. 

Green. I — I — 

Fred, (to Mrs. S. D.) And I congratulate you 
00. Madam. 

Mrs. S. D. Upon what? 

Green, (almost collapses) Oh, Lord! How'll I 
ell him? 



THE BUTTERFLIES 105 

Mrs. S. D. I do not understand. 

Green, (going towards l. Miserably) I'll go 
in and ask her what's the fash'nable thing to do. 

Mrs. S. D. There is some mistake, — certainly 
I — 

{Re-enter Suzanne over 'bridge, quicMy.) 

Suzanne. Papa ! Come along, Andrew, papa ! 
(then sees Miriam; then speaking off r. Come c.) 
Papa! (up c.) 

Green, (turns, misei-ably) What? 

Suzanne, (importantly) Andrew and I took 
that walk. 

Green. Go take another, (up to veranda) 
(Enter Strong over bridge.) 

Strong. I beg pardon, but your respected father 
— shall I tell him that you proposed to me — I mean 
that you accepted me ? 

Suzanne. No need to — I told him half an hour 
ago. (x. doivn r. to m.) 

Strong, (sotto voce) Most extraordinary peo- 
ple, but she is delicious. 

Miriam. (clasping Suzanne) You darling! 
(Strong joins in the group; Miriam congratidates 
him in dumb show) 

Green, (on veranda; trying the door; then 
knocks) Sophia! (softly) 0, Sophy, unlock the 
door. Well, who did lock it, then? 0, I forgot. 
(Exit into house through tvindow.) 

Mrs. S. D. (l. c. to Fred) Cannot you pos- 
sibly guess what I mean ? — The great service you 
rendered me and my daughter — 

Fred, (c.) I do. But there was a bathing mas- 
ter hired for that purpose. 

Mrs. S. D. I do not mean that little episode at 
ISTarragansett, but — but another — which — (clasp- 
ing her hands) I cannot say. — It is too mortifying 
■ — (turns aside) If Miriam knew it, I should die, 

Fred. Do not think of it again. 



106 THE BUTTERFLIES 

Mrs. S. D. But the obligation you have placed me 
Lincler — 

Fred. A man is under no obligation when he has 
lone something for his mother — I mean^ her mother 

— I mean — that is — I hope — but we are friends. 
Mrs. S. D. (giving both her hands) We are. 

^ou are the noblest fellow in the world. 

Fred, (aside) Ami? (I'e-enter Green through 
'he ivindow leading Mrs. Ossian) The noblest? 

Green. (very much scared) Now don't be 
ifraid, — It^ll be all over in a minute, — and we 
night just as well take Fred by the horns, — I mean 
)reak the news to the bull — 

Mrs. S. D. (to Fred.) I gave Mr. Green a check 
'or the whole amount. Ah, here he is now. Mr. 
jrreen, I have explained to Mr. Ossian. 

Greex. (Fred. x. to r. c. Draws Mrs. Ossian's 
irm through his, as they come down) Yes, ma'am, 

— but first of all let me explain — I — Fred — m'm 

— I — When you heard me hurraying a minute ago, 
hat she was mine, I meant — if you will allow me — 
'Fred, starts back in surprise) 

Mrs. S. D. (to Mrs. Ossian) My dear .Sophia, 
LS your old school-mate, let me congratulate you. 
takes both her hands) 

Fred, (amazedly) You — (then in a tone of in- 
nred reproach) You are going to make me an 
irphan — you — (then sternly) Before this goes 
my further, may I ask what are your prospects? 

Green. The immediate prospect is that you will 
lave your salary raised — 

Fred. Well, how much? I'm doing the work of 
hree men. 

Green. I'll raise you ten per cent. That's 
nough for a single man. 

Fred. No. 

Green. And be junior partner in the firm. 

Mrs. S. D. (delightedly) Junior partner. 

Fred, (importantly) All right. I will not be 



THE BUTTERFLIES 107 

unkind to your young hearts ; — take her and be 
happy. (And up stage for Miriam) 

Suzanne (down r., hi front of tree. Strong l 
of s.) Andrew and I have taken that walk 

Green, (x. to r. c, Mrs. Ossian following) 
Do you mean to say that —(then to Strong) Is 
that so? ^ 

Strong, (in front of tree. l. of Suzanne. Al- 
most R.) Quite extraordinary, but it is. 

Mrs. S. D. (to Fred., who has come doivn l. c. 
Miriam c.) But let me do something to show mv 
gratitude to you. ^ 

Fred. Pray do not speak of gratitude. It was a 
— I could have done nothing else. 

Mrs. S. D. But, something — please. 

Fred, (smilinghj glancing toivards Miriam, who 
with clasped hands, face averted over them, has leen 
eagerly listening to every word) Might I have the 
honor then, madam, of being presented to your daugh- 
ter ? 'Z & 

Mrs. S. D. The honor and pleasure are ours. 
Miriam, dear — (x. between Fred, and Miriam. 
Miriam starts) Miriam— (s/?e comes a few paces 
towards them, ivith downcast eyes) I wish to pre- 
sent to you a very dear friend of mine — one, dear, 
who saved your life at Narragansett — and to whom' 
-—I am under special obligations, (then to Fred.) 
Mr. Ossian, my daughter. 

Miriam, (advancing shyly and smilingly towards 
Fred, c.) I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Ossian — 
(giving him her hand) 

Fred. AT LAST! (draws her quickly to him; 
head on his shoulder, and hisses her. Mrs. S. D , 
surprised. Strong lisses Suzanne; Green holding 
Mrs. Ossian's hand, and looUng down the staqe) 

Green. HOORAY I 

CURTAIlSr. 



e^- SEND FO<^ A. NEW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



321 
3'.'i! 
323 
324 
325 
326 
327 
328 

32y 
330 
331 
332 
333 
334 
335 
336 

337 

338 
339 
340 
341 
342 
343 
344 



VOL. XLI 
The Pirate's Legacy 
The Charcoal burner 
Adelgitha 
Seller Valiente 
Forest Rose 
Duke's Daughter 
Camilla's Husband 
Pure <:;old 

VOL. XLII. 
Ticket of Leave Man 
fool's Revenge 
O'lNeil the Great 
Handy Andy 
I'ira'.e ol' the Isles 
hanoiuiii 
Little Barefoot 
Wild Irish Girl 

VOL. XLIII. 
Pe.arl of Savoy 
Dead Heart 

Ten Nights in a Bar-room 
Dumb Boy of Manchester 
Be) phegor the Moun teb'k 
Cricket on the Hearth 
Printer's Devil 
Meg's Diversion 



(French's Standard Drama Contiimed from 2d paf!;f ofCovfr.') 



VOL. XLIV. 

345 Drunkiird's Doom 

346 Chimney Corner 

347 Fifteen Years of a Drunk 
34S No Thoroughfare f ard's 

349 Peep O' Day L Lite 

350 Everybody's Friend 

351 Gen. Grant 

352 Kathleen Mavourneen 

VOL. XLV. 

353 Nick Whiffles 

354 Fruits of the Wine Cup 

355 Drunkard's Warning 

356 Temperance Doctor 

357 Aunt Dinah 

368 Widow Freeheart 

359 Frou Frou 

360 Long Strike 

VOL. XLVI. 
861 Larcers 

362 Lu' ille 

363 Randall's Thumb 

364 Wicked World 

365 Two Orphans 
S66 Colleen Bawn 

367 'Tvvixt Axe and Crown 
363 Lady Claucarthy 



VOL. XLVIL- 

369 Saratoga 

370 Never Too Late to Mend 

371 Lily of France 

372 Led Astray 

373 Henry V 

374 Unequal Match 

• 75 May or Dolly's Delusion 
::!76 Allatoona 

VOL. XLVIIL 
377 Enoch Arden 

375 Under the Gas Light 

379 Daniel Rochat 

380 Caste 

381 School 

382 Home 

383 David Garrick 

384 Ours 

VOL. XLIX. 

385 Social Glass 

386 Daniel Druce 

387 Two Roses 

388 Adrienne 

389 The Bells 

390 Uncle 

391 Courtship 

392 Not Such a Fool 



VOL. L. 

393 Fine Feathers 

394 Prompter's Box 

395 Iron Master 

396 Engaged 

97 Pygiiiaiiou & Galatea 

398 Leah 

399 Scrap of Paper 

400 Lost in London 
VOL. LI. 

401 Octoroon 

402 Confederate Spy 

403 "Vl.ariner's Return 

404 Ruined by Drink 

405 Dreams 

406 M. P. 

407 War 

408 Birth 
VOL. LIL 

'409 Nightingale 
4)0 Progress 

411 Play 

412 Midnight Charge 

413 Confidential Clerk 

414 Snowball 

415 Our Regimeiiv 

416 Married for Money 
Hamlet in Three Acts 
Guttle & Gulpit 



FRENCH'S INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHTED EDITION 
OF THE WORKS OF THE BEST AUTHORS. 

The following very successful plays have just been issued at 25 cents per copy. , 



A PAIS. OF SPECTACLES. Comedy In 3 Acts 
by Sydnkv Guundy, author of " Sowing the Wind," 
&c. 8 male, 3 female characters. 

A FOOL'S PAE.ADIS"E:. An original play in 3 
Acts bv Sydnkv Gkcm y, author of " Sowing the 
Wind,'^ Ac. 5 male, 4 female characters. 

THE SILVER SHIELD. An original comedy in 
3 Acts by Sydney Gbundy, author of "Sowing the 
Wind," &c. 5 male, 3 female characters. 

THE GLASS OF FASHION. An original com- 
edy in 4 Acts by Svim-v i.rundv, author of " Sowing 
the Wind," &c. 5 male. 5 female characters. 



THE BALLOON. Farcical comedy in 8 Acts by J. 

H. DijRNi.KY and Manvillk Fknn. 6 male, 4 female 

characters. 
MISS CLEOPATRA. Farce in 3 Acts by Arthub 

Shielky. 7 male, 3 female characters. 
SIX PERSONS. Comedy Act by I. Zangwill. 

1 male, 1 female character. 
FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE. Comedi- 
etta in 1 Act by Percy Fknd*ll. 1 male, 1 female 

character. 
HIGHLAND LEGACY. Comedy in 1 Act by 

Brandon Thomas, author of "Charley's Aunt." 

5 male, 2 female characters. 



Contents of Catalogue which is sent Free. 



Amateur Drama 

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Articles Needed by Amateurs 

Art of Scene Painting 

Baker's Readinpr Club 

Beards, Whiskers, Mustaches, etc. 

Bound Sets of Plavs 

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Burnt Cork 

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Carnival of Authori 

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only 
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Elocution, Reciters and Speakers 
Ethiopian Dramas 



Evening's Entertainment 

Fairy and Home Plays 

French's Costumes 

French's Editions 

French's Italian Operas 

French's Parlor Comediae 

French's Standard and Minor Drama 

French's Standard and Minor Drama, 

bound 
French's Scenes for Amateurs 
Frobisher's i opular Recitals 
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Guide Books for Amideurs 
Guide to Selecting Plays 
Hints on Costunif-s 
Home Plays for Ladies 
Irish Plays 
Irving's Plays 
.Tuvenile Plays 
Make-Up Book 
Make-Up Box 
Mock Trial 

Mrs. Jarley's Wax Works 
New PI<tys 



New Recitation Books 

Nigger Jokes and Stump Speeches 

Parlor Magic 

Parlor Pantomimes 

Pieces of Pleasantry 

Poems for Recitntions 

Plays for Male Characters only 

Round Games 

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Shakespeare's Plays 

Stanley's Dwarfs 

Spirit Gum 

Tableaux Vivants 

Talma Actor's Art 

Temperance Plays 

Vocal Music of Shakespeare's Plays 

Webster's Acting Edition 

Wigs, etc. 



{French's Minor Drama Continued from 4th page of Cover.) 



VOL. XLI. 

321 Adventures of a Love 

322 I ost Child [Letter 

323 Court Cards 

324 Cox and Box 

325 Fortv Winks 

336 Wonderful Wom»n 

327 Curious Case 

328 Tweedleton'a Tail Coat 



VOL. XLII. 
.329 Ae Like as Two Peas 

330 Presumptive Evidence 

331 Happv Band 

332 Pinafore 
.333 Mock Trial 

3.34 Mv Uncle's Will 

335 Happy Pair 

336 My Turn Next 



VOL. XLIII. 

337 Sunset 

338 For Half a Million 

339 C -ble Car 

340 Early Bird 

341 Alumni Play 

342 Show of Hands 

343 Barbara 

344 Who's Who 



VOL. XLIV. 

345 Who's To W"n Him 

346 Which is Which 

347 Cup of Tea 

348 Sarah's Young ]V.^an 
.349 Hearts 

350 In Honor Bound [Law 

351 Freeiing a Mother-in- 

352 My Lord in Livery 



SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d St., New York City. 



Jl 



t^" New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Riequest. 



FRENCH'S MINOR DRAMA. 

Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $1.25.^ 1*^'^'-' 



VOL. 1. 
1 The Irish Altorney 
? Boots :.ttlie Swan 

3 How to I'ay the Rent 

4 The Lo.'in of a Lover 
6 Tlie Dead Shot 

6 His l.asl Legs 

7 The lnvi>ible Prince 
h The Gol.Ieii Fanner 

VOL. II. 
9 f ride of the Market 

10 Used Up 

1 1 The Irish Tutor 

1 2 The Barrack Room 

13 Liike the La orer 

14 Beauty and the Beast 

15 St. Patri.-k's live 

16 Captain of the Watch 

VOL. IIL 
n The Se. ret [pers 

18 White Horse of the Pep- 

19 The .laoobite 
io The Bottle 

21 Box and Cox 

22 Bainhoozli.ig 

23 Widow's Victim 

24 Robert Maoaire 

VOL. IV. 

25 Secret Service 

26 Oinnitius 

27 Irish Lion 

28 Maid of Croissy 

29 The Old Guard 

30 Raising the Wind 

31 Slasher and Cr,isher 

32 Naval Eng igeinents 

VOL. V'. 
.33 Cocknies in California 

34 Wlio Speaks First 

35 Boinbastes (""urioso 

36 Macbeth Travestie 

37 Irish Ambassidor 

38 Delicate Ground 

39 The Weathercock [Gold 

40 All that Glitters " 

VOL. VI. 

41 QriiTisliaw, Bagshaw and 

. Bradshaw 

42 Rough Diamond 

43 Bloomer Costume 

44 Two Bonnycft-tles 
15 Bi)rn to Gur)d Luck 
lb Kiss in the Dark [jurer 

47 'Twould Puzzle a Con- 

48 Kill or Cure 

VOL. VII. 

49 Box and Cox Married and 

50 St. Cupid [Settled 

51 Go-fo-hed Tom 

52 Tlie Lawyers 
,53 .lack .?heppard 
.54 The Toodles 

55 The Mobcap 

56 Ladies Bew.Hre 

VOL. VI r I. 

57 Morning Call 

,58 Popping the Question. 

,59 Deaf ;>s a Post 

6ll Nc v Footman * 

61 Ple:isnnt Neighbor 

62 Paddy the Piper 

63 Brian O'Linn 

64 Irish Assurance 

VOL. IX. 

65 Temptation 

66 Paddv Carey 

67 Two (iregories 

68 King Charming 

69 P.i-ca-hoii-tas 

70 Clockmaker's Hat 

71 Married Rake 

72 Love and Murder 

VOL. X. 

73 Ireland and America 

74 Pretty Piece of Business 

75 Irish Broom-maker 

76 To Paris and Back for 

Five Pounds 

77 That Blessed Baby 

78 Our Gal 

79 Sxviss Cottage 

80 Young Widow 



VOL. XL 
81 O'Flaniiig m and the Fai- 
S2 Irish Post [ries 

83 My Neigiibor's Wife 

84 Irish Tiger 

85 P. P., or Man .and Tiger 
h6 To Oblige Benson 
87 State Secrets 
BS Irish Yankee 

VOL. XII. 

89 A Good Fellow 

90 Cherry and Fair Star 

91 Gale Breezely 

92 Our Jemiuiv 

93 Miller's Alaid , 

94 Awkward Arrival 

95 Crossing the Line 

96 Conjugal Lesson 
VOL. XIII. 

97 My Wife's Mirror 

98 Liie in New York 

99 Middy Ashore 

100 Crown Prince 

101 Two Que-ns 

102 Thumping Legacy 

103 Unftnislied Gentleman 
1U4 House Uog 

VOL. xrv. 

105 Tlie Demon Lover 

106 Matriiiiony 

107 In aud Out of Pl.ace 

108 I Dine with My Mother 
1(19 Hi-a-w.a-tha 

110 Andy Blake 

111 Love in '76 [ties 

112 Romance under Difflcul- 
V-JL. XV. 

113 One Coat for i Suits 

114 A Decided Case 

115 Daughter [noritv 

116 -Vo; or, the Glorious Mi- 
ll* ("oroner's Inquisition 

118 Love in Humble Life 

119 Family .lars 
Not] 120 rersonation 

VOL. XVL 

121 Childr.-n in the Wood 

122 Winning a Husband 

123 Day After the Fair 

124 .Vla'ki Your Wills 

125 Rendezvous 

126 Mv Wife's Husband 



127 Monsieur Tonson 

128 Illustrious Stranger 

VOL. XVII. 

129 Mischief-Making [Mi nes 

130 A Live Woman in the 

131 The Corsair 

132 Shylock 

133 Spoiled Child 

134 Kvil Eye 

135 Vothing to Vurse 

136 Wanted a Widow 

VOL. XVIIL 

137 Lottery Ticket 

138 Fortune's Frolic 

139 Is he .Jealous! 

140 Married Bachelor 

141 Husband at .Sight 

142 Irishman in London 

143 Ani nal M.agnetism 

144 Highways and By-Ways 

VOL. XIX. 

145 Columbus 

146 Harlequin Bluebeard 

147 Ladie* at Home 

14ft I'henomenon in a Smock 

Frock 
149 Comedy and Tragedy 
1.50 Opposite ^'eighbors 

151 Dutchm.an's Ghost 

152 Persecuted Dutchman 

VOL. XX. 

1.53 Musard Ball 

1.54 Great Tragic Revival ■ 

155 High Low Jack & Game 

156 A Gentleman from Ire- 

157 Tom and Jerry [land 
1.58 Villige Lawyer 

159 Captain's not A-miss 

160 Amateurs and Actors 



VOL. XXI. 

161 Promotion [ual 

162 \ Fascinating IndiviJ- 

163 Mrs. Caddie 

164 Shakespeare's Dream 

165 N> ptuiie s Defeat 

166 Lady of Bedchamber 
".67 Take Care of Little 

168 Irish Widow [Charley 

VOL. XXII. 

169 Yankee Peddler 

170 Hiram Hireout 

171 Double-Bedded Room 

172 The Dr.ama Defended 

1 73 Vermont Wool Dealer 

174 Ebenezer Venture [ter 

175 Principles from Ch.arac- 

176 Lady of the Lake (Trav) 

<'0L. XXIII, 

177 Mad Does 

178 B.irney Uie Baron 

179 Swiss Swains < 

180 Bachelor's Bedroom 

181 A Roland for an Oliver 
Wl .More Blunders than One 
183 Dumb Belle 

Lvl Liun-rick bov 

VOL. XXlV. 

185 Vature and Philosophy 

186 Teddy the Tiler 

187 Spectre Bridegroom 
ls8 M.atteo Falcone 
1m9 Jenny Lind 

190 Two 'Buzzartls 

191 Happy Man 

192 Betsy Baker 

Vol. XXV. 

193 No. 1 Round the Comer 

194 Teddy Roe 

195 Object of Interest 

196 My Fellow Clerk 

197 Bengal Tiger 

198 Laughing Hyena 

199 The Victor "Vanquished 

200 Our Wife 
VOL. XXVL 

201 Mv Husband's Mirror 

202 Yankee Land 
UK) Norah Creina 

204 Good for Nothing 

205 The First N ight 

206 The Eton Boy 

207 Wandering Minstrel 

208 Wanted, ludO Milliners 
VOL. XXVIL 

209 Poor Pikoddy 

10 The .Mummy [Glasses 

211 Don't Forget your Opera 

212 Love in Livery 

213 Anthony and Cleopatra 

214 Trying It On 

215 Stage Struck Yankee 

216 Young Wife & Old Um- 
brella 

VOL. XXVIII. 

217 Crinoline 

218 A F.ai/iily Failing 

219 Adopted'Child 

220 Turned Heads 

221 A Match in the D.ark 

222 .Advice to Husbands 

223 Siamese Twins 

224 Sent to the Tower 
VOL. XXIX. 

225 Somebody Rise 
2 6 Ladies' Battle 

227 Art of Acting 

228 The Ladv of the Lions 
929 The Rights of Man 

230 Mv Husband's Ghost 

231 Two Can Play at that 

Game 

232 FightinK bv Proxy 
VOL. XXX. 

233 Unprotected Female 
2;i4 Pet of the Petticoats 

235 Forty and Fifty [book 

236 Who Stole the Pocket- 
37 My Son Diana [sion 

2.38 Unwarrantable I n t r u - 

239 Mr. and Mrs. White 

240 A Quiet F.amily 



(French's Minor Drama Continued on ^d page of Cover.) 



-_ VOL. XXXL 

241 Cool as encumber 

242 Sudden Thoughts 

243 Jumbo Jnm 

244 A Blighted Being 

245 Little Toddlekins 
24b A Lovt-r by Proxy 

247 Maid with the M 

248 Perplexing Predic 

VOL. XXXil. 

249 Dr. Dil worth 

250 Out to .N urstf 

251 A Lucky Hit 

252 The Dowager 

25;H Metaiiiora (Hurles 

254 Dreams of Delusio 

255 The Shaker Lover 

256 Ticklish Times 

VOL. XXX HI. 
■57 20 Minutes with a 

258 Miralda; or, the . 

of Tacon 

259 A Soldier's Courts 

260 Servants by Legat 

261 Dying for Love 

262 Alariiiing Sacrifici 

263 Valet de Sham 

264 Nicholas Nickleb' 

VOL. XXXIV" 

265 The L.ast of the P 

266 King Rene's Dauf 

267 Th^ (irotto Nymj 

268 A Deyili.sh Good . 
2h9 A Twice Toid la 
270 Pas de Fascinatio 

71 Revolution.ary So 

272 A Man With. U a 

VOL. XX>. V. 

273 The Olio, Part 1 

274 Tne Olio, I'.art 2 

275 The Olio, Part 3 

276 The Trumpeter's 

277 Seeing Warren 

278 Green Mountain 

279 That Nose 

2ftO Tom Noddy's Se. 
VOL. XXXVl 

281 Shocking Events 

282 A Regular Fix 

283 Dick Turpin 

284 Young Sciinp 

285 Young Actress 

286 Call at No. 1—7 

287 One Touch of Ni 
2«8 Two B'hoys 

VOL. XXXVI 

289 All the World's 

290 Quash, or Niggt 

291 Turn Him Out 

292 Pretty Girls of S 

293 Angel of the Att 

294 Circumstancesal 

295 Katty O'Sheal 

296 A Supper in Dij 

VOL. XXXVI 

297 I,i on Parle Frai 

298 Who Killed Coc 

299 Declaration of It 

300 Heads or Tails 

301 Obstinate Faniil 

302 Mv A unt 

303 That Rascal Pat 

304 Don Paddy de B 

VOL. X.XXIX 

305 Too Mucli forG. 

306 Cure for the Fidf 

307 Jack's the Lad 

308 Much Ado About; 
.309 Artful Dodser 

310 Winnir.); Hazard 

311 Day's Fishing 

312 Did vou ev' r sen 

VOL. XL. 

313 An Irishman's M. 

314 Cousin Fannie 

315 'Ti5 the Darkest! 

316 Masquerade [for 

317 Crowding the Se: 
W}* Good Nicht'sRes 
119 Man with the Cai 
320 Terrible Tinker 



SAMUEL FRENCH 26 West 22d Street. New York City. 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogfue Mailed Free on Request- 



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